Overview
Elementary years focus on wonder, exploration, and building foundational skills through nature, story, and hands-on learning. Following Waldorf developmental stages, we emphasize imagination and play in early grades, gradually introducing more structured academics while maintaining connection to the natural world and Wheel of the Year rhythms.
Subjects Covered
Language Arts
- Phonics & reading (emergent → fluent)
- Handwriting & creative writing
- Spelling (weekly vocabulary)
- Grammar & sentence structure
- Storytelling & oral narration
Mathematics
- Number sense & counting
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Fractions & decimals (upper elementary)
- Measurement, time, money
- Geometry & spatial reasoning
Science & Nature Studies
- Seasonal observations & nature journaling
- Weather, plants, animals, ecosystems
- Earth science through Wheel of the Year
- Hands-on experiments
- Gardening & phenology
History & Social Studies
- Community helpers & citizenship
- World cultures & traditions
- American history & symbols
- Geography & map skills
- Economics basics
Arts & Handwork
- Watercolor painting, drawing, crafts
- Music, singing, recorder
- Movement & dance
- Seasonal crafts aligned with Sabbats
- Handwork: knitting, sewing, woodworking
UU Pagan Studies
- Chalice Circle & morning verses
- Wheel of the Year celebrations
- Seven UU Principles (age-appropriate)
- Earth-centered spirituality
- World religions & traditions
Practical Life (Montessori)
- Self-care & hygiene
- Kitchen skills & food preparation
- Care of environment
- Grace, courtesy, & social skills
- Organization & responsibility
Public School Comparison
✓ Covers equivalent content: Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, PE
⟳ Approaches differently: More nature-based, less textbook-driven; storytelling over worksheets; delayed formal academics in K-1 per Waldorf philosophy
✗ Does not emphasize: Standardized test prep, screen-based learning, competitive grading
★ Goes beyond: Handwork skills, nature immersion, spiritual development, practical life skills, Wheel of the Year integration, UU Principles
Grade-by-Grade Focus
Assessment Options
- Portfolio: Work samples, artwork, writing, photos of projects
- Narrative: Written descriptions of learning and growth
- Traditional: Quizzes and assessments
- Unschooling: Learning logs documenting interests and discoveries
Note: The Rataj family requires 80% mastery before advancing to the next level. Whether other families use the same requirement is entirely up to them.