SPECIAL Subject Classes
SPECIALITY SUBJECTS
Waldorf Speciality Subject Classes and Teachers are integral to the curriculum and support a balanced academic experience by offering art, music, movement and Spanish, including handwork, woodworking, clay sculpture, painting and drawing.
HANDWORK
At IWS, handwork is nurtured from an early age through the art of finger knitting in Early Childhood. As students progress to first grade, they craft their own knitting needles to create their first square, which can then be transformed into a charming pouch or even a cuddly cat. As their dexterity improves, students are introduced to crocheting and hand sewing, producing an array of items including hats, adorable little animals, cozy socks, bags, and many other unique creations. The 4th grade curriculum delves into embroidery and weaving. By the time the students reach fifth and sixth grade, they are encouraged to think three-dimensionally as they knit their own socks and sew their very own dolls or stuffed animals. Wet felting often brings joy and excitement in seventh grade as students make charming slippers and bags. The culmination of the handwork curriculum is in 8th grade where students learn to master the sewing machine. Final projects can range from personalized t-shirts to cozy pajama bottoms, showcasing the amazing skills that the students have developed throughout their journey.
MUSIC
IWS values music education as an integral part of its holistic approach to learning. Our music curriculum begins in Early Childhood with singing and rhythmic activities. In first grade, students are introduced to the pentatonic scale through songs and stories. In second grade, the diatonic scale is introduced through the recorder, which is played throughout the lower grades.
From third grade, students have the option to participate in string ensemble classes, where they learn to play the violin, viola, or cello. These classes focus on technique, ensemble playing, and performance. Students progress through a carefully designed curriculum that includes learning to read music and developing the skills required to play in an orchestra. Creating harmonies together is part of learning to be in community and increases listening skills.
In sixth grade, students have the option to switch to guitar ensemble classes. These classes build upon the students' musical knowledge and skills, focusing on music theory and technique.
The music curriculum in Waldorf schools encourages creativity, self-expression, and a deep understanding of the importance of music in human culture. It aims to instill a love of music in students that will last a lifetime.
FARM & STEWARDSHIP
At the Ithaca Waldorf School, located on 80 acres of fields and forest, students participate in a farm and stewardship curriculum that encourages a deep connection with the natural world. Students engage in hands-on activities, such as tapping maple trees and then boiling maple syrup, planting garlic, and cultivating a pumpkin patch for pumpkin carvings in fall, all while learning about sustainable agricultural practices such as composting.
Forestry education is also an integral part of the curriculum, with students learning about the importance of trees in the ecosystem and how to care for them. Just this spring, students have helped to plant and care for fir trees that will be sold as Christmas trees in the future.
Through these activities, students at the Ithaca Waldorf School develop a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment. They gain practical skills and knowledge that they can apply in their own lives, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. The farm and stewardship curriculum at the Ithaca Waldorf School is a unique and valuable aspect of the school's holistic approach to education.
SPANISH
IWS emphasizes the importance of foreign language education as a means of fostering intercultural understanding and communication. Spanish is taught as the main foreign language, beginning in first grade and continuing through eighth grade.
In the early grades, Spanish is introduced through songs, stories, and games, with a focus on developing listening and speaking skills. As students progress, the Spanish curriculum expands to include a more comprehensive study of grammar, vocabulary, and culture. Students develop reading, writing, and translation skills through the study of literature, poetry, and other texts. They also engage in conversations, debates, and presentations, gaining confidence and fluency in the language.
The Spanish curriculum at IWS emphasizes the cultural and historical context of the Spanish-speaking world. Students learn about the diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures and explore the connections between language, culture, and identity. Through the study of Spanish, Waldorf students gain a deeper appreciation of global diversity and a broader perspective on the world around them.
MOVEMENT & GAMES
Movement and play are crucial in child development, and as such, physical education is an essential part of the IWS curriculum. The movement and games curriculum focuses on encouraging children to develop physical, social, and emotional skills through play and movement.
In the early grades, gross motor skills are developed through games experienced through songs and stories encouraging imagination. As students progress, the curriculum expands to include more complex activities. The emphasis is on promoting a healthy, active lifestyle, as well as developing social skills such as cooperation, communication, and sportsmanship.
Overall, the movement and games curriculum provides a balanced and holistic approach to physical education. It encourages a lifelong love of movement and play while promoting social, emotional, and cognitive skills that benefit children throughout their lives.