Professional development for Waldorf teachers and home school parents. Read all about Summer Series 2026.

Taught remotely in real time, this course offers you an invaluable opportunity to focus entirely on your upcoming third grade school year in five days brimming with presentations, discussions, and practical activities.

Under the guidance of an experienced class teacher, you’ll discover ways to enliven your teaching and how to approach the blocks so that they may meet the third grader in a deep and meaningful way. With the insights of anthroposophy, gleaned through a discussion of child development focusing specifically on your class’s age group, you will get to know the third grade child in depth as they as they experience the nine-year change.

Along with time and space to consider and hone your skills in such practical matters as main lesson books, block planning, projects and activities, and classroom management, your course will include such key topics for third graders—and their teachers—as:

• Multicultural approaches to the creation stories and the role of Old Testament stories in the third grade curriculum
• Topics in language arts, reading groups, and class plays
• Topics in math
• Third grade approach to science and gardening
• Third grade approach to social studies, class trips and community service
• Third grade morning circle
• Third grade assessment
• Parent work and colleagueship

These subjects will be supported by explorations in art, music, and movement, giving you practical tools to take into your school year. In addition, you’ll gain many valuable opportunities for building connections among a community of parallel colleagues from across the country to carry with you throughout your teaching. And participation in an anthroposophical study undertaken in common with all Grades participants will help enable you to build bridges between colleagues and parents once you return to your school.

Grade-specific resource materials useful for your year, including poems, songs, stories, and main lesson book ideas, will be provided to you electronically.

NOTE: This course is taught with the expectation that you have a foundational background in Waldorf education.

Lead Instructor

Joshua Gartland has been a Waldorf teacher since 2005. After taking his first class from 1st-4th grade at the Waldorf School of Garden City, he joined the faculty of the Waldorf School of Atlanta, where he led classes from grades 1-5, 1-8, and 1-3. He now works online, bringing key elements of Waldorf education to English speaking students worldwide. Prior to becoming a Waldorf teacher, Josh was active in theatre productions, studied and performed as a mime, and managed one of the largest yoga facilities in the country. He received a BFA in theater performance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and his diploma in Waldorf education from Sunbridge College.  Josh enjoys talking, books, playing games, singing, dancing, drawing and, of course, learning.

Previous Summer Series Grade Three participants had this to say:

• It went above and beyond my expectations, especially with regard to concrete tools, the community created and resources shared.
• I love the Google Classroom and the ability to share resources, as well as practical examples and ideas for my classroom.
• Joshua was by far the most engaging and kind teacher I’ve encountered in my three summers.
• He was open, kind, willing to answer questions, and addressed all essential parts of the third grade curriculum and work as a Waldorf teacher.
• Such an amazing teacher, he is very warm, and SO knowledgeable and what a great combination to have as a teacher. I enjoyed this class the whole way.
• I thought the content was extremely helpful, the Google classroom will be a tremendous help throughout the year.
• This was so wonderful. The block plans, games, and main lesson structure were really helpful and inspiring.
• Josh presented a wealth of practical and academic information, and his knowledge of the subject matter was excellent. He was well prepared and he was a skilled facilitator.
• There was plenty without too much.
• Joshua spoke from experience and in a relatable manner and addressed all questions . Along with covering many aspects of the curriculum, he gave food for the soul.
• I feel much more prepared to teach 3rd grade than I was at the beginning of the week.

Your course also includes sessions in music (Katey Dolezal), art (Adrienne Patrick), and movement (TBA).

Schedule

This course takes place June 28 – July 3 in a synchronous online classroom. ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN (NY) TIME ZONE.

NOTE: Classes will take place on July 1 (Canada Day).

Sunday evening
Classes begin. (Specific timing to be noted in your schedule.)

Monday – Thursday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log-in for technical check-in and attendance
Sessions run from 10:00 am through 5:00 pm, with time for breaks and lunch

Friday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log-in for technical check-in and attendance
Sessions run from 10:00 am through 1:30 pm, with a mid-morning break

NOTE: Most sessions are required in order to receive a certificate of attendance. Others, such as Q&A sessions with your lead instructor and studio time with your art and music instructors, are optional. Complete schedules will be sent two weeks before your course start date, along with a list of materials you will need to procure for use during your course. Participants should be prepared to work on course-related assignments outside of their regularly scheduled instructional sessions (including some that may be assigned in advance).

Cost 
$645 includes all resource materials, yearlong access to your Grade Three Google Classroom, and a $55 non-refundable registration fee.

25% discount for:

• Students currently enrolled in a Sunbridge teacher education program
• Sunbridge program graduates
• Payments made in Canadian dollars

Accounts must be in good standing and discounts may not be combined. Qualification for discounts will be verified by Sunbridge staff.  

Please contact Barbara Vitale, admissions and summer coordinator, at [email protected] or 845-425-0055 x20

Sunbridge reserves the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary. See registration form for refund policy.