GRADE TWO

In Grade Two, children begin to become more aware of differing strengths and abilities in themselves and others. Grade two bridges the dreamy imaginativeness of Grade One and the dramatic birth of the individual in Grade Three. Legends are told to highlight a human’s ability to overcome adversity. Children start to experience and explore the positive and negative aspects of personality, including: honesty and deceit, trust and betrayal, kindness and cruelty.

The curriculum for Grade Two focuses on:

Language Arts

• Writing
• Reading
• Elements of Grammar
• Speech Formation
• Dramatics

Grade Two storytelling focuses on traditional fables that satisfy children’s deep interest in the animal kingdom, and legends that emphasize the noblest of human qualities, highlight positive and negative human traits and demonstrate a person’s ability to choose a higher path. These stories speak directly to the inner-life and experience of the child at this age.

Mathematics

• All Four Operations (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication)
• Geometric Movement
• Place Value
• Carrying/Borrowing

The children’s understanding of number quality is broadened through the study of place value (1-1000), and the children learn to add and subtract large numbers by carrying and borrowing. They continue to work with all four arithmetical operations and the multiplication tables. Mathematical concepts continue to be shared with imaginative stories forming the basis of problems.

Natural Sciences

• Nature Walks
• Field Trip

Field trips and regular walks in the trees and field behind the school reveal the world of nature and serve as a simple introduction to environmental science providing the basis for latter studies in both science and geography.

Social Sciences and Pre-History

• Multi-Cultural Fables and Legends

Celtic and native stories are told to highlight moral and life lessons bringing an awareness of cultural diversity and other key values.

Second Languages

• French
• German

The children continue their oral introduction to both second languages, building on research that identifies young children’s innate capacity to learn languages from the spoken word.

Fine Arts

• Watercolour Painting
• Drawing
• Beeswax Modelling
• Form Drawing
• Class Play

Drawing trains motor skills, awakens powers of observation, and provides a foundation for the introduction to handwriting, and the later study of geometry.

Handwork

• Crochet
• Sewing
• Knitting and Making Soft Toys

To support fine motor skills and assist in mathematical learnings, knitting is an exceptional tool that supports quiet study and concentration.

Music

• Singing
• Pentatonic Flute

Physical Education

• Eurythmy
• Cooperative Games
• Day Hikes

Physical activity is a key component in Waldorf education. Seen as a necessity for all children, movement throughout the day supports learning and physical development. A continued introduction to Eurythmy, provides the foundation for future in depth study.