Movement with Intention

Evolving the Movement Program at Alabama Waldorf School

At Alabama Waldorf School, movement is not limited to a single subject or class. It lives throughout our school day in morning circles, math lessons, music and language classes, and on the playground. As we begin a new school year, we are excited to share a reimagined movement program. One that honors our long-standing commitment to Waldorf Education while thoughtfully evolving to meet the developmental needs of our students and school today.

A Collaborative Review and Vision

Our College of Teachers, in collaboration with faculty and the Board of Trustees, undertook a comprehensive review of the movement curriculum. We explored how movement is currently integrated across the school day, studied core Waldorf movement principles, and reviewed practices from other Waldorf schools. We also reflected on our available resources, faculty strengths, and how to best coordinate movement activities consistently and intentionally.

A Developmentally Aligned Movement Program

Each class in grades 1–8 will continue to enjoy two dedicated movement periods per week, tailored to their developmental stage. In the lower grades, students engage in active and traditional games such as freeze tag, red light green light, duck duck goose, and imaginative play. As students progress into the upper grades, they take on more complex activities, including Waldorf games like space ball, as well as sports such as pickleball and volleyball.

Movement also remains woven into daily classroom rhythms, with morning warm-ups featuring walking, hopping, skipping, balancing, and rhythmic games. Lower grades will enjoy string games and jump roping—both individually and in groups—as part of their weekly routine.

Movement Across the Curriculum

Beyond movement classes, physical activity is integrated throughout the school day. Music lessons include dance and hand-clapping games, while cultural dances and games are brought into the classroom by our Spanish and Russian teachers.

Pentathlon and Specialty Support

For our fourth and fifth-grade students, pentathlon training remains a treasured part of the school experience. When those classes are scheduled to attend the regional pentathlon, a trusted teacher with experience in the event will be contracted to support their training and skill development and will accompany them on the journey, along with their class teacher.

Looking Ahead

This evolving curriculum strengthens our ability to provide cohesive, consistent, and developmentally appropriate movement experiences for every student. It fosters integrated movement across subjects, increases opportunities for cross-grade collaboration, and honors the spirit of growth and innovation inherent to Waldorf Education and Alabama Waldorf School.