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Supporting Academics Through Creativity

Specialized teachers support and balance academic work through a diverse range of creative activities, including music, movement, world language, and the arts, including handwork, woodworking, clay sculpture, painting and drawing.

Each grade’s special subject curriculum is specifically designed to meet the needs of the children at a particular point in their development.

Music

Throughout Waldorf education, music is woven into many subjects to make for an integrated and rich learning experience. In addition, MWS has three music teachers that teach choir, string ensemble and recorder ensemble. Students start out singing and playing wooden flutes with their class teachers. They progress to string ensemble in third grade and formally begin choir in fourth grade. In seventh and eighth grade, they have the experience of playing in a recorder ensemble. All of these ensembles give students the opportunity to work together for a common goal and express themselves creatively.

Visual Arts

Arts are a vital part of Waldorf education. All students begin working in the arts from first grade through eighth grade. Art curriculum includes media such as painting, drawing, woodwork and sculpture.

World Language

All students start stretching their minds early by studying French in grades 1–8.

Handwork

Children explore practical arts such as knitting, crochet, hand and machine sewing and other fiber arts throughout their time at Minnesota Waldorf School. Each grade’s handwork curriculum is designed to foster an aspect of development appropriate to the age of the child.

Movement

The MWS Movement and Games program recognizes the importance of physical activity and its relationship to successful learning. We aim to inspire a love for physical activity through an age-appropriate curriculum for the developing child. Our expansive campus, vibrant with green space, offers ample opportunity for unstructured play as well as outdoor instruction all year round.

Games in grades 1-4 incorporate imagery, rhythm, and imitation to help students socially and physically develop the skills necessary for a long life love of physical fitness. In grade 5, students learn the skills necessary for playing team sports and are introduced to circus arts, unicycling, juggling, tumbling, clowning, and aerial arts. The fifth-grade participates in the annual Pentathlon, an athletic event based on the ancient Greek games. Circus arts, team sports, and our after school sports program take focus in grades 6-8.