Subjects Program

List of 7 items.

• Spanish, Grades 1-8

  Spanish is an integral part of the Cedarwood experience from first through eighth grade. Students meet two to three times each week, developing their language skills through songs, stories, games, movement, and meaningful interactions. As they become increasingly able to communicate, they also gain an insider's view of the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, fostering empathy, flexibility of thinking, and global awareness.
  
  

  Our Spanish program uses a proficiency-based approach to language learning, emphasizing meaningful communication over memorization. Through comprehensible input and engaging interactions, students learn Spanish in the context of everyday life rather than through translation.
  
  

  The program follows the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, which define language proficiency by what learners can do with a language in real-world, spontaneous situations through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
  
  

  What this means for students is that Spanish is the primary language of the classroom. Rather than translating word for word, students infer meaning from context, visual cues, gestures, and conversation—much like they learned their first language. As their confidence grows, so do their language skills, progressing naturally from understanding simple messages to expressing themselves in words, phrases, sentences, and eventually connected conversations and writing.

• Japanese, Grades 1-8

  Japanese is an integral part of the Cedarwood experience from first through eighth grade. Through the study of Japanese, students encounter a language and culture that differs significantly from English, broadening their perspective while developing flexibility in thinking, language learning, and cultural understanding. Activities such as origami, calligraphy, and learning the Japanese writing system provide meaningful opportunities to connect language with creativity and the arts.
  
  

  In the early grades, students learn primarily through immersion, imitation, songs, stories, games, and conversation, allowing them to develop confidence in the spoken language. As students mature, they gradually add reading, writing, and grammar, building on the strong oral foundation established in the lower grades. By middle school, students engage the language with increasing independence and intellectual understanding.
  
  

  Japanese lessons include storytelling, singing, games, partner work, and collaborative activities that support a variety of learning styles while creating an engaging, joyful environment for language acquisition.

• Practical Arts, Grades 1-8

  The Practical Arts program is one of the distinctive features of a Waldorf education. Through handwork and woodworking, students in grades 1–8 create beautiful, functional objects while developing practical skills, perseverance, creativity, and confidence.

  Practical arts are more than opportunities to make things—they are opportunities to think, create, solve problems, and bring ideas to life. As students learn new techniques, count stitches, measure carefully, recognize and correct mistakes, and make artistic choices, they engage both their hands and their minds in meaningful work. The result is deep concentration, growing confidence, and the satisfaction of seeing a project take shape over time.

  Each project is carefully chosen to meet students at their stage of development and to complement the broader curriculum. Perhaps most importantly, each project is dear to its creator. Students take great pride in their work, experiencing the joy and accomplishment that come from creating something beautiful, useful, and entirely their own.

  Throughout the grades, students develop skills in:

  • Finger knitting
  • Knitting
  • Crochet
  • Embroidery
  • Sewing
  • Pattern drafting
  • Woodworking

• Eurythmy, Grades 1-8

  Unique to Waldorf education, eurythmy is a movement art that brings form and expression to music and language. More than simply dance or physical education, eurythmy invites students to experience rhythm, speech, music, and movement as an integrated whole, supporting their development from first through eighth grade.
  
  

  In eurythmy, students explore language and music through intentional movement. Working individually and as a group, they develop coordination, balance, spatial awareness, and careful observation while learning to move with purpose, confidence, and grace. Lessons often connect directly with the stories, poetry, history, and themes students are studying in the classroom, enriching their understanding through embodied experience.
  
  

  Because eurythmy is practiced together, it also nurtures important social skills. Students learn to be aware of one another, move collaboratively, and contribute to the harmony of the group—qualities that support both healthy classroom relationships and personal growth.
  
  

  Through eurythmy, students develop:

  • Balance, coordination, and spatial awareness
  • Expressive movement inspired by music and language
  • Focus, presence, and self-awareness
  • Collaboration and awareness of others
  • Confidence in movement and communication
  • An appreciation for beauty, rhythm, and artistic expression

• Movement Education, Grades 1-8

  Movement is an essential part of the Cedarwood experience. Through games, athletics, gymnastics, circus arts, and outdoor exploration, students in grades 2–8 develop coordination, balance, strength, confidence, and teamwork while discovering the joy of moving their bodies.
  
  

  Our movement program is grounded in the principles of Spatial Dynamics®, an approach that supports healthy physical development while strengthening body awareness, coordination, and spatial relationships. Students participate in activities that encourage cooperation, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for movement rather than emphasizing competition alone.
  
  

  Whenever possible, movement classes take place outdoors, making use of our campus, nearby parks, and neighborhood spaces. These varied environments invite students to challenge themselves, connect with nature, and experience movement in many different settings.
  
  

  Throughout the grades, students develop skills in:

  • Cooperative games and team sports
  • Fitness, balance, and coordination
  • Gymnastics and circus arts
  • Healthy posture and body awareness
  • Collaboration and sportsmanship
  • Preparation for the Olympiad, World Games, and Track & Field Meet

• Music Education, Grades 3-8

  Music is woven throughout the Cedarwood experience, beginning with singing and musical play in the early grades and growing into a rich program of choral and instrumental music. Beginning in third grade, every student chooses a string instrument—violin, viola, or cello—and continues their musical journey through eighth grade.
  
  

  Learning music develops careful listening, concentration, coordination, perseverance, and collaboration. As students practice, perform, and create music together, they discover the satisfaction of contributing to something larger than themselves while developing confidence in their own abilities.
  
  

  The music curriculum is thoughtfully aligned with students' classroom studies, allowing songs, musical traditions, and performances to enrich the history, cultures, and stories they encounter throughout the year. Students regularly perform as members of an orchestra and choir, building musicianship while experiencing the joy of making music together.
  
  

  Throughout the grades, students experience:

  • Singing and choral music
  • Violin, viola, or cello instruction
  • Pentatonic and diatonic music
  • Orchestra and ensemble performance
  • Intentional listening and music appreciation
  • Musical traditions connected to the curriculum and cultures of the world
  • Performances and visits from guest artists

• Cyber Civics, Grades 6-8

  Preparing students for the future means helping them navigate not only the physical world, but the digital one as well. Beginning in sixth grade, Cedarwood students participate in the Cyber Civics program, developing the knowledge, judgment, and character needed to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with technology.
  
  

  Cyber Civics explores what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. Students examine topics such as online communication, privacy, digital footprints, media literacy, cyberbullying, and the ethical use of technology. Through discussion, reflection, and collaborative activities, they learn to recognize both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with participating in online communities.
  
  

  Rather than focusing only on rules or safety, the program encourages students to think critically, communicate respectfully, and make thoughtful decisions that reflect the values they practice in every aspect of school life.
  
  

  Students engage with Cyber Civics through:

  • Teacher presentations
  • Class discussions
  • Videos and multimedia resources
  • Small-group activities and conversations
  • Individual and collaborative projects