Provide a multi-sensory experience for grades 1-3, delighting the children while allowing them to master the desired academic content.
Incorporate movement, special projects, outdoor learning, and community connections as enhancements to the typical classroom-based academic curriculum.
A long-time, passionate Waldorf Educator, Monica aims to inspire a broader look at the possibilities available for creating grade-specific syllabi.
Welcome!
This website offers grade-specific courses that are meant to be helpful to teachers preparing for their upcoming teaching year. I invite you to view the introductory video for each grade level free of charge.
In addition to the video courses I also offer a number of plays for elementary grades that may be purchased independently. Regardless of your decision to view the courses, I'm available for individualized coaching sessions to discuss your specific classroom situation.
Topics covered in the video guides
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Introduction to the grade and ideas for gathering materials
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Rhythms of the day, the week, month, and year. Classroom set-up
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The use of the four temperaments when working with first graders
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Language Arts and arithmetic curricula
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Seasonal crafts and projects, including cooking
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Service and field trip curriculum - social curriculum
First Grade
Second Grade
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Introduction to the grade and preparation ideas
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The use of the four temperaments when working with second graders
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Rhythms of the day, week, month, and year
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Language Arts curriculum
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Arithmetic curriculum
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Seasonal crafts and projects, including cooking
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Service and field trip curriculum - social curriculum
Third Grade
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Introduction to the grade and the Nine-Year Change
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Preparation ideas for the diverse blocks taught in third grade
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Rhythms of the day, week, month, and year
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The unique block rotation of grade three
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Language Arts and arithmetic curricula
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The Old Testament and Practical Arts blocks
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Seasonal crafts, festivals, and special projects
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Service and field trip curriculum - social and farming curriculum
Fourth Grade
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Introduction to the grade and preparation ideas
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The use of storytelling and recall; how they strengthen the social
emotional curriculum
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Rhythms of the day, week, month, and year
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Preparation ideas for the new blocks introduced in fourth grade
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Language Arts and Math curricula
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Working with parents
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The class play
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Working with special educational and behavioral needs
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Service and field trip curricula
Fifth Grade
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Introduction to the grade and preparation ideas
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The use of storytelling and recall and how the stories inform the social-emotional curriculum
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Rhythms of the day, week, month, and year
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Preparation ideas for the new blocks introduced in fifth grade - Ancient History and Botany
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Curriculum ideas for the new fifth grade geography blocks
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Language arts and math curriculum,
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Building healthy relationships with parents
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The class play
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Working with special educational and behavioral needs
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Service and field trip curricula
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Teacher and Student Voices
Monica is an inspiration to watch in the classroom, a true master teacher. As a colleague she was always generous with her time and willing to listen and share ideas as I worked on forming my class.
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Jenn S., colleague and Waldorf class teacher
Ms. Marshall made learning magical. Lessons took on the form of engrossing stories, many ending with us begging to hear what happens next. But most importantly, Ms. Marshall possesses the most critical, elusive skill you could ever ask for in a teacher: she cultivates a love of learning in her students. I will be forever grateful to Ms. Marshall for seeing that spark within me and nurturing it for eight years, kindling a flame that burns bright to this day.
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Abigail Levine, former student, journalist and long distance runner
Monica keeps me grounded to make sure I am not only a practical class teacher, she also helps me to be a heart warming teacher that inspires students to become life-long learners. I have definitely become a better class teacher because of Monica. I am very grateful to work with her!
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Anna P., Waldorf class teacher
Monica's Reflections
Over the course of Monica’s long involvement with Waldorf education, there have been many changes in the structure and the curriculum of Waldorf schools.
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Here, Monica shares insights that can be useful to schools as they move into the future.
“The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art - it must speak to the whole child, his heart,
his will must be reached, as well as the mind.”
Rudolf Steiner
