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Kindergarten Transcript

Ages 5-6 | Full Year Overview

Overview

Kindergarten at RHE focuses on wonder, play, and gentle introduction to learning through nature, story, and hands-on exploration. Following Waldorf developmental principles, we emphasize imagination, sensory experience, and social-emotional growth while building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and nature awareness—all woven through the Wheel of the Year.

Subjects Covered

Language Arts

  • Alphabet recognition (A-Z) through stories and songs
  • Phonemic awareness (rhyming, beginning sounds)
  • Oral storytelling and retelling
  • Fine motor preparation (drawing, painting, finger knitting)
  • Emergent reading and upper/lowercase letter recognition
  • Spelling introduction with weekly practice

Mathematics

  • Counting 1-20 through movement and play
  • Number recognition and one-to-one correspondence
  • Basic shapes in nature (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
  • Sorting, patterns, and sequencing
  • Introduction to addition concepts
  • Comparing objects and numbers (more, less, equal)

Science & Nature Studies

  • Seasonal observations and nature walks
  • Weather tracking and cloud identification
  • Plant life cycles (gardening and seed sprouting)
  • Animal habitats and behaviors
  • Simple experiments and hands-on exploration
  • Earth composition and natural materials

History & Social Studies

  • Calendar skills (days, months, seasons)
  • Community helpers and citizenship
  • Rules, values, and social skills
  • American symbols and holidays
  • Map awareness and basic geography
  • Cultural traditions from around the world

Arts & Handwork

  • Watercolor painting and beeswax crayons
  • Finger knitting and simple sewing
  • Seasonal crafts aligned with Sabbats
  • Music, singing, and movement
  • Drawing, coloring, and connect-the-dots
  • Hands-on crafts with natural materials

UU Pagan Studies

  • Hearth Circle introduction (daily gathering)
  • Wheel of the Year celebrations (8 Sabbats)
  • Earth gratitude practices
  • Stories from world traditions
  • Seven UU Principles (age-appropriate)
  • Nature-based spirituality and seasonal awareness

Practical Life (Montessori)

  • Self-care skills (dressing, hygiene)
  • Kitchen helpers (pouring, stirring, simple prep)
  • Care of environment (cleaning, organizing)
  • Grace, courtesy, and social skills
  • Motor skills development (scissors, writing utensils)
  • Taking care of basic needs independently

Physical Education

  • Daily calisthenics and stretching
  • Gross motor development (running, jumping, climbing)
  • Yoga and mindful movement
  • Outdoor play and nature exploration
  • Seasonal movement activities
  • Balance, coordination, and body awareness

Public School Comparison

✓ Covers equivalent content: Alphabet, counting, shapes, seasons, basic science concepts, fine motor development, social skills

⟳ Approaches differently: Less worksheet-based; more play, story, and hands-on learning. Delays formal reading instruction per Waldorf philosophy. Integrates spiritual and seasonal awareness.

✗ Does not emphasize: Standardized test prep, screen-based learning, early reading pressure, competitive grading

★ Goes beyond: Handwork skills, nature immersion, spiritual development, practical life skills, Wheel of the Year integration, UU Principles, Hearth Circle daily practice

Year Structure: Wheel of the Year

The Kindergarten year follows the eight Sabbats, with each unit lasting 5-7 weeks:

Unit 1

Lammas

Aug 4 - Sept 5

First Harvest and New Beginnings: Letters A-D, counting 1-10, harvest themes
Unit 2

Mabon

Sept 8 - Oct 17

Balance and Gratitude: Letters E-I, counting 11-20, autumn changes, seeds
Unit 3

Samhain

Oct 20 - Nov 21

Ancestors and Cycles: Letters J-M, life cycles, honoring those who came before
Unit 4

Yule

Nov 24 - Jan 9

Darkness and Returning Light: Letters N-R, shapes, winter solstice, giving
Unit 5

Imbolc

Jan 12 - Feb 27

Awakening and Brigid: Letters S-X, counting by 2s, seeds and fire
Unit 6

Ostara

Mar 2 - Apr 10

Balance and New Life: Letters Y-Z, alphabet review, eggs, spring equinox
Unit 7

Beltane

Apr 13 - May 29

Growth and Community: Reading review, addition, bees, maypole, celebration
Unit 8

Litha

June - July

Summer Sun and Fun: Optional summer enrichment, nature exploration, reading

Daily Rhythm

Schedule: Monday through Thursday instruction, Fridays for field trips and enrichment

Morning

  • Hearth Circle (15-20 min): candle, song, gratitude, story
  • Circle time with movement and verse
  • Main lesson (20-30 min): letters, numbers, or science

Afternoon

  • Story time and read-alouds
  • Art, handwork, or nature exploration
  • Free play and outdoor time

Assessment Options

  • Portfolio: Artwork, photos of activities, nature journal pages, handwork samples
  • Narrative: Written observations of growth and development milestones
  • Unschooling: Learning log documenting interests, discoveries, and daily activities
  • Spelling: Weekly spelling practice with informal assessment

Note: Formal testing is not recommended or required at this age. The Rataj family requires 80% understanding before advancing, but whether other families use the same requirement is entirely up to them.

Kindergarten is not mandatory in Florida if continuing homeschool through first grade.