Ages 11& up
9am – 2:00pm Thursdays and Fridays
$315/month
(Please note: We group ages according to what the child is at the beginning of the school year. If you are 12 in August, but turning 13 in October, this is the appropriate class for you.
Thursdays & Fridays
Students join us on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 2:00pm for a Waldorf-inspired schedule that includes yoga, science, nature studies, block study of Rome, storyteller, music (recorder), community service projects, snack and lunch time, and outdoor playtimes.
Our teachers use a Waldorf-based curriculum, and at this age, we may begin to add in other eclectic curricula for some subjects. Students who attend may receive suggested at-home activities. The at-home activities are Waldorf-based and age appropriate. These additional activities are strictly optional.
Your home curriculum does not need to be Waldorf-based. We have students using a wide variety of curriculum at home, from Waldorf to eclectic to virtual to full packaged curriculum. Our programs can be used as purely enrichment days or part of your home curriculum.
Language Arts and History main lessons are intertwined and will be based on the Medieval History through the Renaissance and Age of Exploration. History becomes a main subject this year with a focus on the story of history and on biographies. Storytelling, themed art activities, class play, creative and informational writing, spelling, grammar, poetry, and public speaking may all be infused into this time and the teacher will differentiate instruction based on student skill-level.
Math will focus on math games, critical thinking, and real life application. This math is more about applying what we know already in fun or new ways. At home, some students may be ready to start pre-algebra and some may not, so we are leaving that to you, the parent, as we help students apply what they know and begin to think critically using puzzles, analogies, mind benders, and real life applications.
Music will be centered on learning to play the recorder. Students will learn seasonal songs and songs to highlight the curriculum.
Snack and lunch times, and outdoor times, will be incorporated into the day so that students have a natural balance of active play time and time to quietly focus. Yes, we allow for plenty of outdoor time for our older kids because they still love it!
Part of our outdoor time will be free play, and the other part will be focused on gardening and nature studies where students will be exposed to topics such as flower and plant studies, pollinators, insects, nature-themed art, and more.
These students will work as a class to identify local and global needs throughout the year and come up with ways in which they can serve. Time will be set aside each week for Community Service Project and the teacher will guide the students. Past examples include a recycling drive, a beach clean-up (in Florida!), letters to our congressmen for issues important to the students, holiday toy drive, making toys for shelter animals, and raising awareness for local animal rescue efforts.
Yoga class for kids looks much different from yoga class for adults! Through movement, mindfulness, music, and breath, we will come together to cultivate a joyful calm; and set the stage for a day of learning and fun.
Art will consist of a variety of activities ranging from crafts, puppets, drawing, painting, modeling, and handwork. Art is the foundation for creativity and innovation, it can be centered on a theme or free flowing, and it’s also a time to teach children to take pride in their work and to sometimes move at a slower, more peaceful, pace. Handwork class is taught by Ms. Judy
Preparation and celebrations of Festivals and Seasons is a time to prepare for, learn about, and celebrate upcoming festivals and seasons. This will be a time for storytelling, art, crafting, literature, poetry, song, and excitement. Examples of festivals or seasonal days include Martinmas, Michaelmas, Christmas, Candlemas, St. Nicholas Day, May Day, and more. We will work on crafts and art projects to further enhance your family celebrations at home. We will not focus on the religious aspects at school, but encourage you to do so at home or make it your own in however works best for your family. These special festivals are integral to the rhythm of life and passing of the seasons. In celebrating seasonal holidays, the goal is to develop in the child (and adult) a sense of the rhythm of the seasons and the passage of time, and a sense that there is something bigger than himself.
Even more than that, though, we take these moments as opportunities to show gratitude both for the time we’ve been granted together, and anticipation of the gifts of time that lies ahead.
Waldorf Answers explains our focus on festivals further:
“Seasonal festivals serve to connect humanity with the rhythms of nature and of the cosmos. The festivals originated in ancient cultures, yet have been adapted over time. To join the seasonal moods of the year, in a festive way, benefits the inner life of the soul. Celebrating is an art. There is joy in the anticipation, the preparation, the celebration itself, and the memories.”