Curriculum
This is a sample of the curriculum at the Armidale Waldorf School.
CLASS 1
English (pictorial introduction of the alphabet, writing, simple spelling and the beginnings of reading)
Maths (introduction to numbers including Roman Numerals, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division: the 4 processes)
Fairy tales, Aboriginal and nature stories
Form Drawing
Watercolour painting, kinitting, weaving, baking, beeswax modelling
Descant recorder, singing, Eurythmy and circle games and dances
French
CLASS 2
English (spelling, reading and writing simple stories)
Maths (practice of the 4 processes, maths facts and tables)
Animal Fables, Legends of the Saints, Folk Tales and nature stories
Cooking, purl and plain knitting, modelling beeswax
French
Music – including singing, recorder and percussion
Dreamtime Stories
CLASS 3
English (basic elements of grammar, spelling, reading, cursive writing and beginning composition)
Maths (practice of the 4 processes, maths facts and tables)
Old Testament Stories
House building, Farming and Crafts
Crochet
Music – singing, recorder, percussion and violin
French
Aboriginal Myths and Legends
Local geography/history
CLASS 4
English (spelling, reading, grammar and composition); history of writing
Maths (fractions introduced and practice of all operations), Geometric drawing
Local geography including mapmaking
Australian discovery sea voyages
Aboriginal perspective of white settlement
Human and animal study
Norse Myths
Cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, modelling with clay, choir/ensemble, Eurythmy
Music – singing, recorder and violin
French
CLASS 5
English (vocabulary, grammar and composition, reading and poetry)
Maths (decimals introduced and practice of all operations)
Local History: exploration of Australia from Sydney to Armidale
Botany
Ancient Myths of India, Persia, Egypt and Greece
Ancient Greek history and Olympic training
Music: singing and treble recorder
French
CLASS 6
English (vocabulary, grammar and composition, reading and poetry)
Maths (percentages introduced and practice of all operations)
Geometry
Physics of sound, light and heat
Astronomy
Australian geography and exploration
Roman and Medieval History
Music: singing and treble recorder
French
CLASS 7/8 (Stage 4)
Subjects are studied in an odd/even year cycle to fit the composite class model. While the following list identifies subject by area, the teaching approach is interdisciplinary, with subjects interlinking for deeper learning.
ODD YEARS:
English: grammar, composition, illustrated texts, wilderness adventure, King Arthur, Canterbury Tales (drama classes and play performance)
Maths: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability, Mathematics Around Us
Science: Mechanics, electricity and magnetism (physics); Combustion, acids, bases and the lime cycle (chemistry); Caring for Our Life Processes (human biology and PDHPE); Diversity of Life (ecology)
Human Society and Its Environment: The Middle Ages; Voyages of Discovery; fieldwork on camps (Aboriginal Colonisation and Contact History, Water in the World, map-making and orienteering)
Art: Drawing the World Around Us; Perspective; Printmaking
Music: Medieval Music, Instruments of the Orchestra, Composition
French: conversation, grammar, history and culture
PDHPE: Identity, risk-taking and healthy relationships; caring for your body; Aboriginal Peoples and Their Games; sports program at school and at the Sport UNE facility; fire performance, camps
EVEN YEARS:
English: grammar, composition, novel studies, poetry, multimedia, The Power of the Word (history of our language, persuasive speech), A Midsummer Nights Dream (text study and performance)
Maths: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability, Maths in Society
Science: Human Anatomy, The Cloak of Gaia (geology); Alchemy to Industry (chemistry); Off the Planet (astronomy); Connections and Birthing (human biology and PDHPE); The Physics of Flight
Human Society and Its Environment: The Lay of the Land (landscapes and landforms, archaeology); Rebellion and Immortality in Ancient Egypt and China; Worlds Together, Worlds Apart (geographical regions contrasts and connections); fieldwork on camps
Music: Jazz and Blues, Classical Music, Australian Music, Electronic Music
Art: The Human Form; The Renaissance; The Moderns; Individual student projects
French: conversation, grammar, history and culture
PDHPE: Indentity, risk-taking and healthy relationships; puberty and reproduction; Aboriginal Peoples and Their Games; sports program at school and at the Sport UNE facility; fire performance, camps
CLASS 9/10 (stage 5)
Subjects are studied in an odd/even year cycle to fit the composite class model. While the following list identifies subject by area, the teaching approach is interdisciplinary, with subjects interlinking for deeper learning.
ODD YEARS:
English: Biography and Autobiography, Australian Literature, Tragedy and Comedy (including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), novel and film studies
Maths: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability
Science: The Periodic Table and Chemical Reactions; Applied Physics and Chemistry (STEM); Human Biology; Astronomy; Personal Interest Project
Human Society and Its Environment: The Making of the Modern World; Australian History to the Modern Era; Ecosystems and Human Culture (Part 1); The Human Community; fieldwork on camps
PDHPE: Health, Wellbeing and Relationships; Healthy, Safe and Active Lifestyles; Movement, Skill and Performance (including extended camps, visits to Sport UNE, school sports and fire performance)
Broad-based curriculum: clay sculpture, cooking, drama, woodwork, painting, silversmithing, illustrated texts
EVEN YEARS:
English: Sagas and Epics, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Media Studies, Aboriginal Texts (film, poetry, aural stories), Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Maths: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability
Science: The Earth in Movement; Organic Chemistry; Electricity and Communications Technology; Renewable Energy; Applied Physics (STEM); Biology and Ecology
Human Society and Its Environment: The Rise of India and China; The Modern World and Australia; Ecosystems and Human Culture (Part 2); Sustainable Biomes; fieldwork on camps
PDHPE: Health, Wellbeing and Relationships; Healthy, Safe and Active Lifestyles; Movement, Skill and Performance (including extended camps, visits to Sport UNE, school sports and fire performance)
Broad-based curriculum: mural art, short-film making, photography, leather work