Shining Star offers education in grades 1 – 8. Class sizes are intentionally small to allow teachers more one-on-one time with each child. We offer head, heart and hands education for the whole child using traditional and innovative Waldorf education techniques. In Waldorf education, our teachers move through the grades with their students.

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Teachers for 2024/25:

  • Grade 1- Ms. Joanna

  • Grade 2- Ms. Audie

  • Grade 3- Ms. Elizabeth

  • Grade 4- Ms. Asrune

  • Grade 5- Mr. Kevin

  • Grade 6- Ms. Anna

  • Grade 7-Ms. Laura

  • Grade 8-Mr. Noa

Meet our Teachers.

A variety of experts in their fields will come in to teach subject lessons for each grade. Included are: flute playing, handwork, Japanese language, games, strings, band instruments, folk dance, choir, and more.

Allowing for a gentle transition from Kindergarten, 1st grade (singularly among the grades) runs from 9am to 1:30pm.  All other grades are 9am-3:00pm. Aftercare is available for grades children until 5 pm.

Grade 1 Focus

  • Fairy tales from around the world and nature stories

  • Math – Counting to 144 in rhythm games, the Four Processes, Multiplication Tables

  • Science – Natural exploration of the world through the senses, gardening, cooking, the Four Kingdoms

  • Language Arts – Literature, vocabulary, poetry, recitation, letter sounds, blends, common words

  • History – Introduced through fairy tales and poetry, ancient nature lore, wisdom focus

  • Languages – Introduced to Japanese through songs and play

  • Handwork – Knitting a small stuffed cat helps develop motor skills and counting and Russian Lessons

  • Music – Group singing, begin pentatonic flute lessons,

Grade 2 Focus

  • Saints and Inspirational People, Jataka Tales, Anansi Stories, and Folk Tales

  • Math – Tables, 4 processes, Borrowing & Carrying, Logic Games, Symmetry Exploration

  • Science – Exploration of the Weather, Natural Forces, Cooking, Physics with Motion and Movement

  • History – Ancient moral teachings of Ancient India, Buddha, African Stories, Inspiring Humans

  • Language Arts – Reading practice, Word Families, Blends, Common words, vocabulary, poetry, recitation

  • Languages – Practice Japanese by ear, imitating teacher through songs, poems and games

  • Handwork – Knitting more difficult projects develops sense of form and color

  • Music – Group singing and pentatonic flute lessons, Ear training, Rhythm and Self Control

Grade 3 Focus 

  • Practical Arts and Farming Year, much hands on and in the field learning this year

  • Math – Practical applications through measuring and farming. Introduction to long division.

  • Science – Water Soil Sun Cycle, Composting, Cheesemaking, Yeast cultures, farming, animal tending, Weather and Climate.

  • Language Arts – Beginning grammar through writing simple reports and descriptions, master cursive writing, Shelters Report

  • History – History of the Hebrew People (Oldest recorded history), farming stories and a shelter project: build a model house and write a short report.

  • Languages – Japanese class splits into beginning and advanced groups, practice writing in lesson book

  • Handwork – Beginning crochet, making round pencil pouch, hat, granny square pillow, other projects

  • Music – Singing in the round, playing pentatonic flutes, begin violins, cellos in spring

Grade 4 Focus 

  • Ancient Norse Mythology and Native American Culture, Oregon State History

  • Math – Begin word problems through stories, Fractions, increase 4 process skills, homework

  • Science – Introduction to Zoology through the relationship between man and animals, 2 blocks

  • Language Arts – 9 parts of speech, writing, reading, Runes, short reports, summaries, definitions, spelling homework

  • History –Old Testament, stories of Native Americans and two-night stay to celebrate Potlatch, a reenactment of Pacific Northwest Native American tribes.

  • Languages – Japanese - Begin grammar transition to more individual speaking

  • Handwork – Make cross stitch patches to learn balanced design, create lifetime handwork bag with project

  • Music – Choir and singing in harmony; string instrument: violin or cello

Grade 5 Focus

  • Ancient Civilizations including Greece, Mesopotamia, China, India, and Egypt

  • Math -Decimals, percentages, review fractions, complex problems, freehand geometry

  • Science – Introduction to Biology through plant life cycle and it’s relation to Earth

  • History – Study ancient civilizations through mythology and biographies of historical figures

  • Languages – Greek, choir and writing music, learning to play violin and cello year two

  • Handwork – Knitting in the round; making socks to fit teaches form and shape

  • Music – Choir; learning to play in small string ensembles

  • Writers Workshop, Percussion Lesson Junk Band, Games and Olympiad in the spring

Grade 6 Focus

  • Roman and Medieval History

  • Math – Introduction to economics (profit and loss) through making and selling items

  • Science – Study physics through experiments in sound, heat, light and electricity

  • Language Arts – Focus on writing compositions and formal letters, reading original volumes about history, preparing reports on various aspects of the main subjects to present and projects to emphasize study

  • History – Study ancient influences on cultural development, advancements, society, warfare, religion and philosophy through novels, poetry and song.

  • Languages -More advanced studies in grammar, tense, vocabulary and more in Japanese

  • Handwork – Sewing stuffed animals teaches pre-planning and follow-through

  • Music – Start a wind or brass instrument, Band

  • Writer’s Workshop, Percussion Band, Games, Sports, Medieval Games in the Spring

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Grade 7 Focus

  • Renaissance Studies to beginning of Industrial Ages, worldwide point of view of explorers from China to Polynesians,

  • Age of Invention, Study of the Advancing use of machines, hydro power, and mechanisms that changed human history

  • Chemistry, Anatomy, Reproductive Function in the Human Body

  • Physics of Light, Mechanics, Magnetism

  • Doll making, Calligraphy

  • Track and Field Meet, Writers workshop, Percussion band, sports

Grade 8 Focus

  • Industrial Age to early 1900s, study of the rise of the Machine, metallurgy, changes in manufacturing

  • Biology, Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Machines

  • Machine Sewing of clothing and quilts, pillow cases

  • Algebra, geometry, problem soliving

  • Economics, Banking, Stock Market

  • Geometry with protractor and compass

  • Eighth Grade Project–year long project

  • Apprenticeship Project—as desired

  • Writers’ Workshop, Percussion band, Games, Track n Field Meet

In Waldorf education, our teachers move through the grades with their students.

Teachers for 2024/25:

  • Grade 1- Ms. Joanna

  • Grade 2- Ms. Audie

  • Grade 3- Ms. Elizabeth

  • Grade 4- Ms. Asrune

  • Grade 5- Mr. Kevin

  • Grade 6- Ms. Anna

  • Grade 7-Ms. Laura

  • Grade 8-Mr. Noa

Meet our Teachers.

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