Elementary Program
1st - 5th Grade
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Live Oak’s artistically rich, academically rigorous, and experientially-based program enlivens student curiosity about the natural world and human culture, forming a deep foundation for academic achievement and a lifelong love of learning.
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“The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art - it must speak to the child’s experience. To educate the whole child, their heart and will must be reached, as well as the mind.” - Rudolf Steiner
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Elementary Program Overview
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Whole Child approach - Head, Heart & Hands
Program HighlightsAn Interdisciplinary Approach to Learning
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Music in the Classrooms. Flutes begin in first grade.
Daily RhythmBeginning of the Day Verse
The earth is firm beneath my feet The sun shines bright above And here I stand so straight and tall, All things to know and love Students begin their day lined up outside the classroom. One by one they are greeted by their teacher. Class begins with a verse and 90 minutes of Main Lesson followed with Math, ELA and Specialty Programs (Handwork and Movement).
A Thoughtful Education in Action |
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Age Appropriate NOs
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Program Highlights
Main Lesson Books
Storytelling and Imagination
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A key aspect of Waldorf education is the use of storytelling as a method of teaching. Storytelling is not only a way to present subject material but also a means to stimulate imagination and foster memory development. Teachers introduce topics through imaginative stories and direct experiences, allowing students to connect with the material on a deeper level. This approach encourages students to internalize knowledge and express it creatively in their main lesson books.
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A Verse for Passing out Main Lesson Books
A little seed was planted Into a tree it grew And from it came this special gift From the tree to you. My work is like a seedling, I’ll plant it here with care So that it might become a gift For all the world to share. |
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Main lesson books are essentially student-created "textbooks" that document their learning journey. These books are used in place of conventional textbooks and are an integral part of the Waldorf curriculum. Each book is a reflection of the student's understanding and creativity, capturing the essence of what they have learned through a combination of written content, illustrations, and personal reflections. At the end of each year, students take the books home.
Community Held
At Live Oak Charter, all students receive the gift of high quality, artist-grade materials like beeswax block crayons, richly pigmented colored pencils and thick stock or watercolor paper to work with. These materials are paid for through our foundation & fundraising efforts. See Giving to learn more.
Community Held
At Live Oak Charter, all students receive the gift of high quality, artist-grade materials like beeswax block crayons, richly pigmented colored pencils and thick stock or watercolor paper to work with. These materials are paid for through our foundation & fundraising efforts. See Giving to learn more.
Peek through the Lower Grades
Curriculum through the Lower Grades
When is the right time to engage a student in new concepts?
This is the question that sits in the heart of our Waldorf inspired curriculum. At Live Oak Charter we merge the latest understanding of human development (including neurological understanding) with a slower paced course of teaching to match the developmental stages of young children. This also includes how our teachers approach the Common Core State Standards. While this slower pace and broader course of teaching are different than many schools in the US, this model is the most common internationally speaking.
First Grade
Children are presented with archetypes of the human experience. Characters in their stories represent positive attributes, such as courage, honesty and goodness. Letters they learn lay the basis for writing and reading; the numbers and operations they explore initiate them into the world of mathematics. Their day may include: beeswax modeling, form drawing, and pentatonic flute playing.
Second Grade
Children are more aware of their experiences in the larger world and the values of others. Stories explore duality and plurality. They read about conflicts and laugh at the naughty fox. They read about great and noble people- models of being our highest self. Working with number facts and tables, and with the four operations engenders confidence in their thinking. Nature walks and stories prepare them for formal science studies in later grades.
Third Grade
Children experience a new sense of self and their place in the world. They are facing mortality and looking for a place to land. The curriculum gives them skills to survive (gardening, cooking and taking care of chickens) and a shelter building block/report. Measurement in all its forms helps students apply their knowledge. Subjects such as farming, house-building, and other crafts connect them with practical life.
Fourth Grade
Children are becoming stronger, more confident, and more expressive. These qualities are mirrored by the Norse myths, which depict dramatic deeds of loyalty, courage, and treachery and mimic the internal turmoil of 10 year olds. By re-telling, writing, and acting out these stories, students make them their own. The study of fractions, and of the animal kingdom in relation to the human being, help students recognize the relationship between a whole and its part. Explorations of local and California history and geography engender appreciation and understanding of their home state.
Children are presented with archetypes of the human experience. Characters in their stories represent positive attributes, such as courage, honesty and goodness. Letters they learn lay the basis for writing and reading; the numbers and operations they explore initiate them into the world of mathematics. Their day may include: beeswax modeling, form drawing, and pentatonic flute playing.
Second Grade
Children are more aware of their experiences in the larger world and the values of others. Stories explore duality and plurality. They read about conflicts and laugh at the naughty fox. They read about great and noble people- models of being our highest self. Working with number facts and tables, and with the four operations engenders confidence in their thinking. Nature walks and stories prepare them for formal science studies in later grades.
Third Grade
Children experience a new sense of self and their place in the world. They are facing mortality and looking for a place to land. The curriculum gives them skills to survive (gardening, cooking and taking care of chickens) and a shelter building block/report. Measurement in all its forms helps students apply their knowledge. Subjects such as farming, house-building, and other crafts connect them with practical life.
Fourth Grade
Children are becoming stronger, more confident, and more expressive. These qualities are mirrored by the Norse myths, which depict dramatic deeds of loyalty, courage, and treachery and mimic the internal turmoil of 10 year olds. By re-telling, writing, and acting out these stories, students make them their own. The study of fractions, and of the animal kingdom in relation to the human being, help students recognize the relationship between a whole and its part. Explorations of local and California history and geography engender appreciation and understanding of their home state.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade is the heart of childhood, a time of balance and harmony. These qualities are expressed through the myths and cultures of ancient India, Persia, Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece. To bring the study of Greece to life, students participate in a multi-school reenactment of the ancient Greek Olympics called the "Pentathlon", and introduced to decimals and the metric system. Fifth grade students explore our country’s heritage in their history and geography classes, and discover the magic and mystery of the plant kingdom and of less-familiar animals in science classes.
Fifth grade is the heart of childhood, a time of balance and harmony. These qualities are expressed through the myths and cultures of ancient India, Persia, Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece. To bring the study of Greece to life, students participate in a multi-school reenactment of the ancient Greek Olympics called the "Pentathlon", and introduced to decimals and the metric system. Fifth grade students explore our country’s heritage in their history and geography classes, and discover the magic and mystery of the plant kingdom and of less-familiar animals in science classes.
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Specialty Classes
Handwork and Movement (also referred to as Spatial Dynamics) are part of the core curriculum in grades 1-8. Projects are integrated with Main Lesson work. Along with the development of manual skills, we see the development of certain human qualities, such as: rhythm, endurance, stamina, and focus. In spending time each week in these creative processes, students are provided with a wonderful opportunity to participate in practical activities that build interdisciplinary skills, aesthetic sensibility, and confidence in one’s capacity to create & express from a variety of materials and mediums. |
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New 2024-25: Specialty Math for Grade 4 & 5
Our dedicated and enthusiastic Middle School Math Teacher, Krista Wigert, will now be sharing her considerable expertise in teaching the "Thinking Classroom" approach with our 4th and 5th grades classes. Learn more about Thinking Classrooms on the Middle School page.
Our dedicated and enthusiastic Middle School Math Teacher, Krista Wigert, will now be sharing her considerable expertise in teaching the "Thinking Classroom" approach with our 4th and 5th grades classes. Learn more about Thinking Classrooms on the Middle School page.
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing is required by law and begins in the 3rd grade. While Live Oak Charter does not study for the CAASPP test, we perform above both California and Petaluma. (See FAQ for more details.)
Standardized testing is required by law and begins in the 3rd grade. While Live Oak Charter does not study for the CAASPP test, we perform above both California and Petaluma. (See FAQ for more details.)
The Waldorf Difference
Comfortable Talking to Adults
High school and college teachers say it's easy to identify which kids came from Waldorf schools. They are the ones comfortable engaging with adults. Here's one reason why.
The Looping Model
In Waldorf Education, a teacher will remain with the same group of students for multiple years, often spanning several grades. This continuity allows for a stable and nurturing learning environment where teachers can develop a profound understanding of each student's individual needs, strengths, and challenges. This approach to education prioritizes strong relationships and individualized learning, fostering an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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The Teachers Role
Waldorf Teachers are not only educators but also mentors and guides. They take on a multifaceted role, teaching a wide range of subjects including arts, music, science, and humanities. Their commitment to understanding each child’s journey is central to the success of the looping model, requiring a blend of creativity, empathy, and dedication. |
Together 1st - 5th Grade
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Benefits of the Looping Model:
- Strong Teacher-Student Relationships: By staying with the same class over several years, teachers can build lasting relationships with their students and their families. This familiarity helps create a supportive classroom atmosphere where students feel understood and valued.
- Deep Curriculum Knowledge: Teachers who loop with their students gain an in-depth understanding of the curriculum across multiple grades, allowing them to integrate and connect subjects in meaningful ways.
- Seamless Transitions: As students progress through their formative years, the consistency of having the same teacher can ease transitions between grades. This stability supports students' emotional and academic growth. This also means, there is no "get to know each other period" at the beginning of each year. The class can get started on day one.
- Holistic Development: Waldorf education emphasizes the development of the whole child—head, heart, and hands. The looping model allows teachers to guide students through a comprehensive curriculum that addresses intellectual, artistic, and practical skills over time.
Curious to learn more about looping?
From the New York Times: What Most American Schools Do Wrong (Oct 2023).
From US NEWS: The Benefits of Teacher Looping (Feb 2023)
From the New York Times: What Most American Schools Do Wrong (Oct 2023).
From US NEWS: The Benefits of Teacher Looping (Feb 2023)
