Saints, Fables and Santa Lucia

Second Grade Curriculum

During their journey through the grades, Waldorf students learn of, and through, a broad range of world religions and cultures. Within this array, students experience the contributions and perspectives that each worldview brings to every discipline, from math, science and astronomy to music, art and culture. These rich explorations of different cultures and worldviews are matched with the developmental needs of the students.

In second grade, children have just made a significant transition developmentally— in their physical abilities, behavioral aspects and intellectual growth. Many teachers see this as a time where children may begin to look for opportunities to enjoy a little mischief. The fables and animal stories pair well with the stories of Saints to help children identify aspects of their own behavior. The fables mirror that mischievous element, and the saint stories balance that out with examples of good deeds, service and compassion and at times a transformation from the former to the latter.

The Festival of Santa Lucia, or Saint Lucy, is an opportunity for the second grade to share some of their learning with the whole school. Santa Lucia Day marks a much-loved festival shared by many Waldorf schools around the globe and also celebrated throughout Scandinavia. Santa Lucia  was a young girl in Italy, who went about in secret to deliver food to those in need. According to legend, she wore a wreath of lit candles on her head to light her way in the darkness and free her hands to carry food to the hungry.

At WSL, in preparation for the festival, the second grade oversees the baking of traditional saffron and currant buns to share with all of the classes. Then, on Santa Lucia Day, the second grade students, wearing white robes and wreaths of golden stars, process through the halls, singing and delivering the saffron buns to all of the students. An older student usually wears a wreath of lit candles and leads the procession.

Enjoy photos and video clips from our 2022 festival here.