The Waldorf School of St. Louis
First Grade

In first grade, children’s imagination and sense of wonder coexist with their emerging interest and curiosity in traditional academic subjects. Our first grade curriculum is rich in multi-sensory experiences and meets each student’s innate curiosity and desire to grow. In first grade, students establish foundational habits that support future learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout this special year of “beginnings,” the teacher and students cultivate an ever-deepening student teacher relationship. They also work together to form a socially cohesive classroom unit.  

In language arts, students are introduced to consonants, vowels, and phonics through imaginative, engaging stories and artistic mediums such as drawing, watercolor painting, and beeswax modeling.  In math, students explore math processes, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, through storytelling and art. Science is presented through nature stories and nature walks. French and German are introduces through songs, poems, and games. In physical education, students play group games to support the class’s development as a cohesive group. Through movement in physical education, students practice rhythm to support their understanding of language and numbers. Additionally, physical activity fuels students’ imagination and their creativity. In handwork, students learn to knit, and they complete various handwork projects, such as a flute case. Singing and playing the pentatonic flute round out a first grader’s school days.

Main Lesson Topics:  the alphabet, writing, reading, speaking, listening comprehension, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fairy and folk tales, nature stories, nature walks

Special Subject Lessons:  French, German, singing, pentatonic flute, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, crayon drawing, form drawing, knitting, physical education