Waldorf Academy

Handwork is woven into the curriculum here. Learning to knit & sew develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and mathematical foundations. It also builds that can-do initiative and agency (plus it's fun!). The personal accomplishment and satisfaction of creating something beautiful and useful to enjoy for years to come is pretty cool, too.

Happy United Nations World bicycle day to all our two wheeled joy riders. Some drop off quotes this morning: “summer is feeling the wind through your hair.” “Every time you miss your childhood, ride a bike.”

Our 4th Graders recently went on a zoo trip, to see the Canadian animals they chose as their study topics in real life! Field trips are a great way for students to be immersed in their lessons and bring their learning to life!

Did you know one in every three bites of food have been brought to you by a pollinator? Grade 3’s have been making a Bee hotel for our important pollinators. Installed next to our garden, we are cultivating for a robust crop this year!

Our grade 7 & 8 students are carving their own canoe paddles! These paddles will be put to the test when the 8th Grade class fly into Algonquin Park for their 7 day canoe trip. What an exciting way to put your skills to the test!

At Waldorf Academy, learning the skill of handwork starts in Early Childhood with finger knitting. Moving through the grades, they learn to crochet, cross-stitch to leatherwork, operate sewing equipment, and so on. Projects include sewing pillowcases, making a quilt, and making felt animals. Handwork develops fine motor skills, creativity, and right-brain-left-brain coordination, as well as helping to build confidence. Students also develop confidence that they can be adaptive and self-sufficient, thereby gaining a sense can-do agency needed to carry through life.

Our Middle School student’s Coffee House was a huge success! Songs, poetry, choreographed boy-band theatrics, and comedy skits rocked the theatre. What exuberant talent. Memories were made, and friendships that will last a lifetime were forged on the stage.

On Earth Day the Wizard of Spring came to the students to ask them for help. He was having difficulty getting everything going this year. The students went into the forest to find the Four Elements and bring back the tools Spring needed to wake everything up from their winter slumber. A day of learning, experience and wonder helped herald in Spring.

A few more photos from our May Day Celebration! Our community came together to participate in a number of fun activities, such as basket weaving, making flower crowns, and playing lots of fun games, as well as watching the students dance around the May pole! Honoring the seasons is an integral part of festival life at Waldorf Academy.