5th Grade: Beauty - Rhythm - Balance
Online International Conference for ALL Waldorf Educators
February 14, 15, and 16, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time
February 14, 15, & 16, 2026 - 9:00am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time
Registration open
Special pricing for school teams! Click HERE for coupon codes!
An International Gathering for All Waldorf Educators
This February, teachers from around the world are invited to gather in a spirit of warmth and renewal—teachers of handwork, music, world languages, movement; class teachers; homeschool communities; and administrators alike. Together we will deepen our subject work while discovering the living connections that weave ALL disciplines into a unified whole.
Collaboration is the Heart of this Conference
This year we turn our attention to the 5th grade—the golden year of childhood, when beauty, rhythm, and balance harmonize in the growing child. 5th graders stand poised between the dreamy imagination of early childhood and the awakening clarity of adolescence. It is a moment of grace, when learning through beauty and form nourishes both confidence and connection to the world.
When teachers come together across subjects, the children’s learning becomes more vibrant and alive. This gathering offers space to connect, reflect, and rekindle inspiration—celebrating the art and craft of teaching 5th graders in all their wholeness.
Conference Highlights
Mornings: All Subjects Together
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Internationally renowned keynote speakers
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Neurodiversity and meeting a spectrum of learning needs
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5th grade child development
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Classroom leadership and management
Afternoons: Subject-Specific Sessions
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Special Sessions for Handwork, Music, Movement, and World Language Teachers featuring Subject specific Keynotes and Hands-on activities.
Collaboration Across Subjects
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Each day includes opportunities to connect and share how we meet the children through different disciplines—deepening mutual understanding and nurturing collaboration across the curriculum.
Penni Sparks
The Seeds of Confidence: Beauty, Rhythm, and Balance
Beauty, Rhythm, and Balance are fundamental principles of Waldorf education and of being human. During the 5th grade year, we recognize and practice these life-habits in everything we ask of our students. We are truthful and kind -- if it's not well done, we ask that it be done again beautifully and precisely. At this age there is no benefit in letting them get away with sloppiness or inaccuracy. We don't expect perfection; instead we help them experience the joy of progress from sound effort, as we watch them grow in confidence in preparation for the years to come.
We will explore the classroom management concepts and practices that support budding beauty, rhythm, and balance, while noting those habits that can become hindrances to growth
The Middle of Childhood
On the journey between birth and adulthood, fifth grade is an important waymark: by now we are thoroughly adept at being children. We know what the rules are, and how to follow them to our and everyone's benefit. Just beyond us waits a liminal space: the promise and danger of adolescence. Time for a last celebration of innocence? Join me for a view from the Bridge.
Sven Saar
Shut Down? Overwhelm? Or True Learning
As this conference focuses on the 5th Grade Child -at the halfway point between infancy and adulthood- what about the child who still struggles to integrate themselves into their physical and sensory bodies, who exerts tremendous life forces merely to survive a school day, let alone learn or grow socially? This workshop will seek to offer tools to teachers, within a Waldorf setting, that will inspire them to bring effective skills to their planning, delivery and assessment of all learners in their school.
Ann Swain
Special Sessions for Movement, Music, World Languages, and Handwork Teachers
Special Sessions for Music, World Languages, Handwork, and Woodwork Teachers.
Every afternoon we will break into groups for Subject Specific Keynote presentations by experienced Waldorf Subject Teachers.
Click below to learn more about details for each subject!
Special School Team Pricing - Re-enliven the picture of a whole school model!
With this as our goal we offer special pricing for school teams! Unify your administration, board, class teachers, and subject teachers by joining together for this unique opportunity.
Individual Ticket:
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Regular price $350 USD
Early Bird Ticket:
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Register before December 22, 2025 $300 USD
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Use coupon code FebruaryBird at checkout
2 Pack
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Send two subject teachers or assistants from the same school
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Total $550 USD - Save $150!
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Use coupon code 2Pack26 at checkout
4 Pack
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Send four subject teachers or assistants from the same school
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Total $950 USD - Save $450!
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Use coupon code 4Pack26 at checkout
5 Pack Collaborative School Pass
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Five tickets - must include four subject teachers or assistants PLUS one admin, board member, OR class teacher
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Total $1,050 USD - Save $700!
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Use coupon code Collab26 at checkout
6 Pack Unified School Pass
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Six tickets - must include four subject teachers or assistants PLUS one admin, board member, AND one class teacher
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Total $1,150 - Save $950!
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Use coupon code Unified26 at checkout
