Though teachers modify the curriculum to meet the specific needs of their class, the following descriptions represent the typical curriculum for each grade at The Waldorf School of Atlanta.

Grade VIII Curriculum
A Waldorf eighth grade experiences a gradual but significant shift from the presentation of a subject solely from the teacher to the class, to the mutual consideration of a subject by teacher and class together. A sense of community develops, in which speaking becomes more thoughtful, listening
more attentive. The result is a greater sense of self. The students expand their sense of place in the world. More importantly, they leave with compelling questions that will continue to fuel their love of learning in the years ahead.

Main Lessons
History: 1700 to the present. Revolutions: the French, the Industrial, and the American. Napoleon. Industrial Revolution: rise of the factory system, city life and child labor; early attempts at social reform. American history: colonization to Twentieth Century. Debates over differing points of view held by the British and the colonists. Studies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Moral questions of extreme wealth and extreme poverty. Conversations about a world of technology, free trade, war and peace. Studies include the lives of Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, and Robert E. Lee, as well as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Literature: Shakespeare. Poetry – epic and dramatic. Haiku poetry. Stories about different peoples of the world, their folklore, and poetry. Novels including The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Master Puppeteer, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

English and Grammar: Review all grammar and syntax, including subordinate and independent clauses. Businesslike and practical writing. Spelling and vocabulary. Original compositions take the form of newspaper articles and editorials. Writing skits or short plays. Class play – Shakespeare, musical, etc. Emphasis on note taking and journaling. Oral presentations using weekly news reporting.

Geography: Geography of Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. World Geography: contrasts. Consideration of maps and how they influence our perception of the world. Studies may include philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Shintoism.

Science: Chemistry: proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Reagents for testing. Physiology: bones and muscles, body chemistry. Physics: sound, heat, current electricity, hydraulics, aerodynamics, meteorology.

Mathematics: Practical mathematics. Percent. Signed numbers. Equations. Mensuration. Number bases. Set concepts. Computers and the binary system.

Drawing, Painting and Modeling: Exact geometric drawing, three-dimensional works. Theorems, volumes of solids, laws of loci. Solid geometry. Black and white drawing with charcoal. Bamboo, ink brush, and landscape painting. Calligraphy. The human head and human bones in clay.