Spring, TX
Great Oak School

General Approach to Learning

	Play-based
	Play-based with some structure
	Predominantly teacher-led instruction
	Montessori
	Waldorf
	Co-op
	Reggio-Emilia

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Director's Comments

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Stories and song are the foundation for future literacy. Imaginative play form the foundation for academic work in later grades. Imitation of adult role models engaged in nurturing activities provide a sense of safety and trust for living a purposeful life. A sense of wonder is created through activities in nature.

FIRST GRADE
First grade students experience rich language opportunities through international fairy tales and folk tales. Reading instruction is approached with a focus on writing first as students create a self-illustrated story-based alphabet book, standard throughout Waldorf schools worldwide. Students in first grade are introduced to not only addition and subtraction, but also to multiplication and division at an early age giving them a well-rounded view of all four processes that occur with numbers. Introduction to numbers is brought through a qualitative approach and a strong emphasis on rhythm, movement, and active learning, rather than sole use of pencil/paper practice common in other schools. First Grade students experience watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, knitting, sewing, drama, and regular lessons in drawing. In Music, the first grade student experiences many opportunities for singing as well as pentatonic flute. Movement games and cooperative games are part of the weekly rhythm as are nature walks, and exposure to foreign languages.

SECOND GRADE
Second Grade students experience legends and animal fables as the literature focus. Reading instruction continues and elements of grammar and spelling instruction are added. Math in the Second Grade is focused on place value and introducing carrying and borrowing, mastering the skip counting and times tables begins in both first and second grade and continues through grade three. Cursive writing is introduced. Second Grade students continue more deeply into experiences with watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, knitting, crocheting, sewing, drama, and regular lessons in drawing. In Music, the second grade students sing more call and response songs, prearing them for singing in the round. They continue to play more advanced songs on the pentatonic flute. Movement games and games involving wrestling and tagging are a common part of the weekly rhythm as are nature walks, and continued exposure to foreign languages.

THIRD GRADE
Third Grade students experience stories of the Old Testament, thereby introducing history for the first time in the daily curriculum. Students in third grade focus strongly on the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter. They study practical life in the way of housing, farming, and clothing. Reading, writing, spelling, and grammar studies become more intensive. Cursive writing continues and begins to be used on a daily basis. In Math, higher multiplication tables are mastered. More advanced work in carrying and borrowing take place, as well as long multiplication and division. Weight, measure, and money are formally introduced and practiced. Third grade student begin string instruments and continue recorder and singing instruction, typically beginning singing in the round.

FOURTH GRADE
Beginning in 4th grade, students are exposed to Norse mythology and sagas. Students also study local geography, map-making, history, local botany, and local animal life. Fractions, long division, and decimals are introduced. In music 4th graders continue work with string instruments and begin work with chorus, coninuted painting, modeling, cross stich, form drawig, and drama. Tumbling and gymnastics form the physical educatin component. Camping in Texas and field trips to local nature areas are a highlight of 4th grade.

FIFTH GRADE
Fifth Grade students study Greek myths, ancient history through Greek times including a Grek Pentatholon and the circus arts, American geography, composition, grammar, spelling, reading. Introduction to decimals, deeper work with fractions, long division and multiplication, and botany. For the arts, fifth grade continues recorder, strings instruments and chorus, painting, woodwork, 4-needle knititng, drama, and form drawing. Continued foreign language and class camping trips.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Ability to be a part of a group of children
Self-sufficiency and independence

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Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

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