Waldorf Inspired-Nature & Play Based Full Curriculum, Kinder/1st: Math, Literacy

This complete nature and seasonal based curriculum is designed to build language, literacy, math, writing, art, sign language and science skills through play! In this ongoing class young children will develop academic skills, gain an appreciation and understanding of ecology and biodiversity, learn about famous artists and the elements of art,  practice peace and mindfulness, build social skills and make friends! 

We will begin each class with a poem that includes a mindful breath, stretch, and positive intention.  Each week will have a seasonal and nature based theme. New concepts will be taught through storytelling, songs and verses, movement, playful interactive presentations and hands on activities. Sign language will be woven into the learning.  

Monday- Language, Literacy, and Handwriting
Each week will will focus on reviewing letter names and sounds, practice decoding CVC words, explore blends and digraphs and work on grade level appropriate sight words. Students will hear stories told from the heart or view a puppet show. We will also read books together, giving students an opportunity to view text and practice reading if they are ready. Students will listen for letter sounds, onset and rime, and develop reading comprehension skills. Finally, together we will create illustrations and  practice writing the letter for the week in both capital and lowercase. In handwriting, I will guide students in proper letter formation. 

Tuesday- Math: Building a number sense though play
Number Sense: Students will learn to count to 100, understand place value up to 100, compare and order numbers, and represent numbers in various ways (e.g., using pictures, objects, or symbols).
Addition and Subtraction: Students will learn the basic concepts of addition and subtraction, including how to add and subtract within 10, understand the concept of "zero," and use mental math strategies.
Measurement and Data: We will learn the  basics of measurement, including length, weight, and capacity, and they learn to compare and describe objects based on these attributes. Students will also learn to organize and interpret data in simple graphs and charts.
Geometry: Students will learn to identify shapes and describe their properties.

Wednesday- Art: A study of the elements of art and famous artists:
Each week we will learn about a famous artist and explore their genre of art work, paying special attention to the elements of art used within the work. Finally, though guided instruction, we will create our own masterpiece inspired by the artists work.

Thursday- Study of Ecosystems and Nature Journaling: 
On Thursdays we will explore different ecosystems around the world and learn about their geography, topography, and the life cycles of plants and animals that live there. Using my second camera and through presentations we will look closely at nature and develop and appreciation of the importance of the diversity of life, and begin to recognize the infinite number of ways that living things can interact with each other and with their environment. Using a nature journal, students will create illustrations inspired by the lessons. 

Friday- Review, Pretend Play, Show and Tell: Let's Play Learning! After a quick review, children will be given the opportunity to share any news with the class, show their favorite toys or objects, come in costume or dress up clothes and play pretend. If we have time we will play a game, go on a scavenger hunt, or retell any of our favorite stories, poems, and memories of the week.  

Learners may join at any time. 

UPCOMING THEMES:

Autumn Theme: 
Week 1:  Letter Aa, Short Vowels Sounds, Number Sense 0-5, A Review of Line , Forest Geography 

Week 2: Letter Bb, Short Vowel Sounds, Number Sense 0-5, The Color Wheel, Forest Topography 

Week 3: Letter Cc, Short Vowel Sounds, Number Sense 0-5, Piet Mondrian, Forest Animal Life Cycle 

Week 4 : Letter Dd, Short Vowel Sounds, Number Sense 0-5, Wasily Kandinsky, Forest Plant Life Cycle 

Week 5: Letter Ee, Short Vowel Sounds, Number Sense 0-5, Pablo Picasso, Forest Animal Life Cycle 

Week 6: Letter Ff, Short Vowel Sounds, Number Sense 0-10, Degas, Forest Plant Life Cycle 

Week of 7: Letter Gg, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-10, Vincent Van Gogh, Forest Review  
 
Week 8: Letter Hh, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-10, Jackson Pollock, Grassland Geography 

Week 9: Letter Ii, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-10, George Seurat, Grassland Topography 

Week 10: Letter Jj, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-10, Andy Warhol, Grassland Animal Life Cycle 

Week 11: Letter Kk, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-15, Georgia O'Keefe, Grassland Biome Plant Life Cycle  
 
Week 12: Letter Ll, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-15, Claude Monet, Grassland Animal Life Cycle 
 
Week 13: Letter Mn, Blends and Digraphs, Number Sense 0-15, Klimt, Grassland Plant Life Cycle 

Week 14: Letter Nn, Lazy e, Number Sense 0-15, Kandinsky, Grassland Review 

Week 15: Letter Oo, Lazy e, Number Sense 0-15, Josef Albers, Tundra Geography 

Week 16: Letter Pp, Lazy y, Number Sense 0-20,  Alma Thomas, Tundra Topography 

Week 17 : Letter Qq, Floss rule- ll, ff, ss, Number Sense 0-20, Edvard Munch, Tundra Animal Life Cycle 

Week 18: Letter Rr, ar and or, Number Sense 0-20, Paul Klee, Tundra Plant Life Cycle 

Week 19: Letter Ss, er, ir, ur, Number Sense 0-20, Frida Kahlo, Tundra Animal Life Cycle 

Week 20: Letter Tt, Vowel Teams, Number Sense 0-20, Marc Chagall, Tundra Plant Life Cycle 

Week 21: Letter Uu, Vowel Teams, Number Sense 0-25 Jean-Michel Basquait, Tundra  Review 

Week 22: Letter  Vv, Vowel Teams, Number Sense 0-25, Salvordor Dali, Aquatic  Geography 

Week 23: Letter Ww, Dipthongs, Number Sense 0-25, Yayoi Kusama, Aquatic Topography 

Week 24: Letter Xx, Dipthongs, Number Sense 0-25, Vincent Van Gogh, Aquatic Animal Life Cycle 

Week 25: Letter Yy, Suffix ed, Number Sense 0-25, John Singer Sargent, Aquatic Plant Life Cycle 

Week 26: Letter Zz, ew, oo, Number Sense 0-50, Michelangelo, Aquatic Animal Life Cycle 

Week 27:  Recognize and read common and irregularly spelled high-frequency words by sight, Place value, Roman Columns, Aquatic Plant Life Cycle  


Week 28: Read grade appropriate root words and affixes including plurals, verb tense, comparatives, Roman Columns, Aquatic Review 

Week 29: Orally read grade-level appropriate or higher texts smoothly and accurately, with expression that connotes comprehension at the independent level, Place Value, Desert Geography 

Week 30:  With support, read and comprehend literature that is grade-level appropriate, Place Value, Desert Topography 

Week 31: Retell stories, fables, and fairy tales in sequence, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson, Place Value, Desert Animal Life Cycle 

Week 32:  With support, read and comprehend nonfiction that is grade-level appropriate, Desert Plant Life Cycle 

Week 33:  Know and use various text features (e.g., table of contents, glossary, illustrations) to locate and describe key facts or information in a text, Desert Animal Life Cycle 

Week 34: Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic, Desert Plant Life Cycle 

Week 35: Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a nonfiction text, Desert Review 

Children of all abilities are welcome. The instructor will meet students at their present level and make accommodations as needed. This all inclusive environment is rooted in love and respect for all. As an ongoing class, students my join at any time.