Grade School - Core Program
Grade 1 to 8
Grade School: Building Strong Foundations for Lifelong Learning
Rooted in the principles of Waldorf education and the Forest School model, Rowan Tree’s grade school program offers a holistic learning environment that honours the natural rhythms and unique sensibilities of childhood. Our students follow an academic curriculum inspired by Waldorf education, in which literacy, numeracy, science, history, geography, and health are taught with attention to the developmental phases of childhood. Through nature-based, hands-on experiences—forest exploration, meaningful skill-building, music, art, storytelling, and discovery—we nurture each child’s curiosity, resilience, and joy in learning.
This approach not only supports a strong academic foundation, but also prepares students for high school and the future by cultivating creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and emotional resilience. Our goal is to ignite a lifelong love of learning and to help our students grow into confident, capable, compassionate individuals.
Why Choose our Grade School Program?
Our Grade School program cultivates curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Building on the solid foundation of the early years, students are guided through the grades with intention, hands-on experiences, and care. Here's what sets our Grade School apart:
Small class sizes that honour each learner’s individuality
Screen and phone-free learning environment
Multi-disciplinary and experiential curriculum
Meaningful outdoor experiences
Integration of music, handwork, and visual arts
Main Lesson
The day begins with music and verse, creating a warm, welcoming tone.
A 90 minute morning lesson follows, focusing deeply on one academic subject—such as science, math, humanities, or the arts.
Each subject is explored over a three- to four-week block, enriched by music, poetry, visual arts, movement, and drama.
This multidisciplinary approach engages head, heart, and hands, allowing for deep learning, integration, and reflection.
The class teacher leads core academics and nurtures strong connections between school and home, fostering each student's growth with respect and care.
Main Lesson Book
At Rowan Tree Children’s School, the main lesson book is a handmade notebook that students create to document and illustrate what they’ve learned in their Main Lesson.
Following lessons, students record key concepts and ideas through drawings, diagrams, and written summaries. These vibrant, personalized books not only reflect each student’s learning and development but also serve as a creative process that deepens understanding and nurtures imagination. Over time, the main lesson book becomes a meaningful record of a student’s academic journey—a keepsake they can cherish for years. These books are a distinctive and essential element of the Waldorf education model that inspires the approach at Rowan Tree Children’s School.
A solid holistic curriculum sets the stage for succes
Integrated Arts Education
The integration of the arts across all subjects—including mathematics and the sciences—awakens imagination and fosters creative, flexible thinking. This artistic infusion brings depth, vitality, and a sense of wholeness to the learning experience.
Drama
Painting
Music
Drawing
Sculpting
Science
Science at Rowan Tree is taught through direct experience. Teachers introduce concepts by setting up experiments, inviting students to observe carefully, reflect on what they’ve seen, and engage in discussion to uncover the underlying scientific principles. This hands-on approach nurtures observation, inquiry, and critical thinking.
Scientific learning begins with Nature Studies in the early grades and expands in the upper grades to include focused subjects such as:
Animal Studies
Botany
Chemistry
Astronomy
Physiology
Physics
Mathematics
In the early grades, mathematics is introduced through story, art, song, and movement, making abstract concepts engaging and accessible. Regular practice helps build a strong foundation.
Students work with number bonds, the four processes, number patterns, and place value using hands-on activities. They progress to multiplication tables, word problems, measurement, time, and money, and are gradually introduced to fractions, long division, rounding, and decimals. Mental math and games help strengthen skills and encourage flexible thinking.
In Middle School, the focus shifts to developing analytical and critical thinking in preparation for high school. Topics include:
Business Math
Geometry
Algebra
Humanities
The humanities curriculum at Rowan Tree begins in Preschool and Kindergarten with fairy tales and folk stories from around the world, laying a foundation rooted in wonder, imagination, and cultural richness. As students advance through the grades, stories are chosen to match their developmental stage, supporting their growth and emerging sense of purpose.
In the Grade School years, the humanities are taught through a wide range of stories, including:
Fables
Indigenous legends
Creation stories
Norse and Greek mythologies
Students journey through the world’s cultural heritage, exploring:
Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations
North and South American, Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and African cultures
Geography and History
Through legends, literature, architecture, music, inventions, and art, students develop a meaningful understanding and appreciation of humanity’s rich diversity.
Language Arts
At Rowan Tree Children’s School, language development begins in Early Childhood with a strong focus on oral language. Through storytelling, songs, poems, and games, children build vocabulary, listening skills, and sound awareness—laying the foundation for confident reading and writing. Fine motor skills are nurtured through activities like lacing, finger knitting, and sewing.
In Grade School, literacy is taught through a rich and balanced approach that combines phonics and decoding with the imaginative methods inspired by Waldorf education. Letters and sounds are introduced through engaging stories and artwork, supported by daily practice that strengthens fluency and comprehension.
As students progress, they expand their skills through poetry, creative writing, drama, and a wide range of literature. These experiences foster a deep love of language and support the development of capable, expressive, and joyful readers and writers.
Subject Lessons
French
Beginning in Grade One, French is part of daily learning, fostering a deep appreciation for the language—its sound, structure, and cultural richness. In the early grades, when children are highly imitative, French is introduced through rhythm, songs, poems, mime, art, seasonal vocabulary, and playful oral repetition. Through these creative activities, students naturally absorb the language.
By Grade Three, students begin recording what they’ve learned in their Cahier de Français and are encouraged to observe patterns in vocabulary and sentence structure. Grammar is introduced more explicitly in Grade Five, when students are developmentally ready to explore the “why” and “how” of language. Lessons continue to include oral work—dialogues, role-play, speech exercises, and singing—to keep French alive and engaging.
Our program follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), supporting steady progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. By Grade Eight, students are able to communicate with confidence and have a strong appreciation for the cultures connected to the French language.
Music
Music is a fundamental part of being human, and making music helps children connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them. Music education is thoughtfully aligned with children’s developmental stages, supporting their growth at every age. Singing is woven into the daily rhythm, and students are introduced to key musical elements over time, including choir, recorder, music notation, and ukulele. These experiences nurture creativity, emotional expression, and a rich inner life.
Handwork
Handwork offers significant benefits for the developing brain, enhancing both hand awareness and coordination while supporting cognitive growth. As children engage in activities like knitting, sewing, and crocheting, they build fine motor skills that strengthen brain function and support the learning of new skills and subjects. From Grade One through Grade Eight, students create a variety of projects each year. By integrating handwork into the curriculum, we provide students with meaningful opportunities to challenge their brains in new ways, laying the foundation for success in both academics and life.
Physical Education
At Rowan Tree Children’s School, our Physical Education program is designed to nurture both skill development and a joyful relationship with movement. In the early years, children build spatial awareness and strengthen fine and gross motor skills through imaginative games that weave together story, rhythm, and imitation. With a strong foundation in cooperation and mutual respect, older students then explore team sports such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
In addition to regular physical education classes, we offer opportunities for students to deepen their love of movement through seasonal extracurriculars. Our cross country running team promotes endurance, teamwork, and outdoor adventure, while our cross country ski club embraces the joy of winter and builds strength and resilience in a natural setting. All children are encouraged to participate fully, developing confidence, coordination, and a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.
A typical school day:
8:50 - Arrival (outdoor hub)
9:00 - Opening circle
9:30 - Main lesson block
11:05 - Nutrition Break & Recess
11:45 - Subjects lessons
1:05 - Nutrition Break & Recess
1:45 - Subject lessons / Outdoor Learning
3:05 - Closing Circle
3:20 - Departure (outdoor hub)
Inquire. Create. Thrive
Grade School - Core Program
Academic learning and holistic development through imagination, creativity, and connection to the natural world for students in Grade 1 to 8.
What People Are Saying:
“It is such a blessing to be able to send our son to such an incredible space. He has been given the opportunity to learn actively outside and instilled a true love and respect for Nature.”
— Parent, Grade School
“Rowan Tree Children’s School is a community full of love, connection, encouragement and enchantment. Our children are excited to head to school each day and full of beautiful stories about their day’s adventures when we pick them up. As parents, we see our children’s needs being met with an empathetic and holistic approach. We couldn’t be happier with our experience.”
— Parent, Nature Kindergarten / Grade School
“I wish all children could have this kind of wholesome nature-based education..”
— Parent, Grade School
