"I think that it is not exaggerated to say that no other educational system in the world gives such a central role to the arts as the Waldorf School Movement. There is not a subject taught that does not have an artistic aspect. Even mathematics is presented in an artistic fashion and related via dance, movement or drawing to the child as a whole. Steiner's system of education is built on the premise that art is an integral part of human endeavors. He gives it back its true role. Anything that can be done to further his revolutionary educational ideals will be of the greatest importance."

Konrad Oberhuber, Curator of Drawings, Fogg Art Museum, Professor of Fine Arts, Harvard Unversity

Fine Arts

At Three Cedars Waldorf School, we view the arts as a way of knowing and experiencing all subjects, from science to sculpting—and our students reap enormous benefits. Visual and performing arts are the pathway to understanding the depth of human experience.

The Arts are not ‘extras’. They  are an integral part of the everyday curriculum, and of each subject studied.  Students draw, paint, sing, act and recite poetry and verses as part of their main lesson and subjects classes. 

Fine arts are integrated into the curriculum, so that, for example, in first grade the children draw pictures of the stories they are hearing, which evolve into the forms of the letters they are studying, while by the study of the Renaissance in the 7^th grade the children are learning to draw with perspective, which ties into their study of Renaissance art as well as Geometry.

Performing Arts

Our students develop a deep appreciation of the arts and of their own capacities. Singing, acting, and playing instruments help develop confidence in public speaking. Painting and modeling complement math study, develop dexterity and mastery of hand-tools, and engage the students in an experience of practical competency. Every student engages in a play each year, with increasingly more complex involvement in the play production and performance.

Music

In grades one through eight, students learn to sing and play recorders together, in unison, rounds, canons and multiple parts, led by the class teacher as part of the daily activities, and in support of the main lesson curriculum.

In grade four, each student begins to play a string instrument in a twice-weekly orchestra class with our specialty strings teacher. Music reading begins, and daily home practice is expected. In grade six, students may also choose Ukulele class.

Choir begins in grade six with an emphasis on developing the voice in a healthy manner, using various vocal colors and techniques and introducing a wide variety of musical styles.

Handwork

All students participate in handwork class. Handwork provides rich “felt experiences” through touch, smell, movement, and feelings which activate neuropathways in the brain, enhance memory and connect the student with the surrounding world. A student who has petted a sheep, washed and carded its wool, felted, knitted and crocheted with it, will have a more enlivened experience when reading about wool than someone who has not.

The rhythmic, repetitive, purposeful movements of the hands as they knit, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, felt and sew become a blueprint for the process of receiving, integrating and using abstract concepts of higher learning. The work created by the hands is meaningful, beautiful, and completed. Handwork brings a reverence and respect for materials and process, and an appreciation for the work of others.

Knitting and crocheting are the heart of the curriculum in the first three years. The goal is to instill a love of working with the hands and to connect the child with the surrounding natural world. A solid foundation in healthy, orderly work habits and a joyful and industrious mood are fostered.

Cross stitch is the focus in grade four, and in fifth grade embroidery and knitting in the round predominate. In middle school patterns are introduced, as projects are pieced together for felting and sewing.