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EDUCATION

CLASSES

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Age 3-6

Pre-K &
Kindergarten

In the earliest years our children learn primarily by imitation and activity, and our program uses exploration and play as the foundation for independent thought and creative thinking. Our openair classroom and natural environment, allows children to explore the beauty that surrounds them, planting seeds of imagination, creativity, and confidence.

The Waldorf Phuket School

Age 6-8

Primary 1
Grade 1-3

At the age of six or seven, children enter a new phase of childhood and typically demonstrate a new readiness for formal learning. In the early grades, new intellectual abilities are nurtured, continuing to empower the imagination and creativity.  All subjects are taught integrating intellect, imagination, and art. Learning experiences are brought to life with pictures and stories, in color, rhythm, and music. What is learned becomes a living part of the child.

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Age 9+

Primary 2
Grade 4-6

The Waldorf curriculum acknowledges a significant developmental change toward the end of a child’s tenth year. There is an awakening to a new sense of self and a shift  in the relationship with the environment.
Natural science and history are explored in more depth at this stage.  During these years, the students  gain a greater degree of autonomy in their work. Emphasis is placed on developing good habits with regard to homework and developing skills through dedicated practice, such as music.

BRIEF CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Kindergarten

  • Water-colour painting, modelling, hand-crafts and baking awaken creativity and support fine motor development and hand eye coordination.

  • Imagery from fairy tales, poetry, finger plays and songs broaden the child’s language skills and imagination.

  • Circle games, indoor and outdoor play increase physical strength, agility and grace. 

  • Time outdoors connects children with the natural world and increases wonder, reverence and respect for nature. It also enlivens the senses and has a calming and balancing effect on the children and their wellbeing. 

  • Seasonal festivals develop a meaningful connection with nature and community.

First Grade

  • Form Drawing: Straight and curved lines, letters and patterns.

  • Writing: introduction to the alphabet, arising through stories and pictures, simple words, reading own writing

  • Speaking practice, poems with strong rhythm

  • Archetypal images revealed through the telling of fairytales.

  • Mathematics: the quality of numbers, building number sense, counting to 100, Roman and Arabic numerals,
    the four processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

  • Nature Study: A wakening to the wonder of nature through observation

  • Singing and introduction to the Recorder

  • Handwork: Knitting, sewing

  • Thai language

  • Painting and Modelling

Second Grade

  • English: Fables from around the world, Jataka Tales (Buddhist morality stories), study of the saints and other noble figures in history
    Reading, consonant and vowel blends, practice through reading own writing around main lesson topics. Practice with leveled Readers. Writing and reading selected songs and verses. Basic sentence structure and punctuation. Speech and poetry practice, 

  • Mathematics: continuing work with the four processes (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
    Place value, times tables

  • Drawing/ Form Drawing, running forms, leading to cursive handwriting, illustrating stories, symmetry and mirror forms

  • Nature Study: through fables and Jataka Tales, nature walks; exploration and observation of the natural world surrounding the school

  • Singing and Recorder

  • Handwork: Knitting, Sewing

  • Thai Language

  • Painting and Modelling

Third Grade

  • English: intensive study of grammar

  • Structured Word Inquiry

  • Writing: introduction to cursive handwriting

  • Mathematics of Practical Life:
    Time, Temperature, Weight & Volume,
    linear measurement (integrated into Housebuilding),
    Trade Goods & The Development of Currency

  • Form Drawing

  • Social and Environmental Studies: Farming & Gardening, Housebuilding, Fibers & Clothing

  • Cultural Studies: stories of the Old Testament, Jewish festivals

  • Drama

  • Singing: singing in rounds

  • Recorder

  • Handwork: Weaving

  • Thai Language

  • Painting

  • Sports

Fourth Grade

  • English: work in grammar continues, introduction to composition writing through personal narratives

  • Tall Tales (which ties in nicely with Local Industry)

  • Geography and Local History/Industry - map skills, landforms & water features

  • Zoology: comparative study of human being and other animals

  • Cultural Studies: Norse mythology

  • Mathematics: Introduction to Fractions

  • Form Drawing: Celtic knots

  • Singing: singing two-part songs

  • Orchestra: choosing a string instrument

  • Handwork: Embroidery, Cross Stitch

  • Thai Language

  • Painting

  • Sports

Fifth Grade

  • Ancient Cultures - Mythology -
    India
    Persia
    Mesopotamia
    Egypt
    Greece

  • Thai and Asian Geography

  • Botany

  • Geometry

  • Mathematics: Fractions and Decimals

  • Singing/ Instruments

  • Handwork: Woodworking, Knitting

  • English: reading, writing, and grammar

  • Composition: Friendly Letters

  • Thai  Language

  • Painting

  • Sports

Sixth Grade

  • History - the transition from ancient to modern:
    Greek history,
    the decline of Greece,
    the rise and fall of Rome, and
    the effects of these cultures on European civilization up through the Middle Ages

  • World Geography (continents, oceans, flags of the world)

  • Geology

  • Astronomy

  • Physics: Acoustics, Optics

  • Geometry

  • Business Mathematics: Formulas, Percents, Graphing

  • Singing and Instruments

  • Handwork: Woodworking

  • English: reading, writing, and grammar
    Composition: Business Letters, introduction to typing/keyboard

  • Foreign Language

  • Painting

  • Sports

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SUMMARY

 

Waldorf education was founded with the intention of fostering a kinder and more conscientious generation. To further this goal, Waldorf education emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and promotes respect for the self, for others, and the natural world.

 

The key element of Waldorf pedagogy is to foster and develop the child’s imaginative forces to promote creative and lively thinking. To meet this goal, the curriculum is carefully planned around the appropriate developmental stages of the child. Lessons and activities utilise a multi-sensory approach that engages the hands, heart and head. This approach incorporates music and rhythm, movement and arts, and allows for curious minds to ponder, create, and wonder. As a result Waldorf students acquire a deep understanding and appreciation for learning that they carry throughout their lives.

 

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“It is important that we discover an educational method where people learn to learn and go on learning their whole lives” - Rudolf Steiner

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