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Nuwer9980
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| Posted: March 10 2009 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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I hope to not cause much controversy here but am looking for an alternative to "waldorf" style education. I know nothing of it's philosophies, Steiner, etc. I just know that I love the nature, artistic, musical, soothing, beautiful environment it creates and the use of natural materials. I just don't feel comfortable calling myself a "waldorf" educator. Is there another form of schooling that incorporates these things into it's daily themes? Again, I stress that I do not follow steiner's philosophies. For now, I am just taking the aspects that i like ex. using natural materials for art, wet-on-wet watercolors, natural toys, books with beauty, etc. and doing my thing. I would like to find a style of schooling that might incorporate these things as well since I'm not too fond of junky paper crafts (in my opinion). Thanks!!
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folklaur
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Oak Meadow Curriculum?
Oak Meadow
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mooreboyz
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cactus mouse...do you use Oak meadow? There's a post a bit down asking about it and I'm curious too as to how people like it, especially older kids.
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Nuwer9980
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| Posted: March 10 2009 at 9:24pm | IP Logged
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not exactly what i was looking for. oak meadow is a waldorf-inspired curriculum if i remember correctly?
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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 10 2009 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
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Nuwer9980 wrote:
| I just know that I love the nature, artistic, musical, soothing, beautiful environment it creates and the use of natural materials. I just don't feel comfortable calling myself a "waldorf" educator. |
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Are you looking for a pre-packaged curriculum that contains all the what's of Waldorf with none of the philosophy and the why's?
Or, are you just looking for a name for what you do that isn't "Waldorf"?
Nuwer9980 wrote:
| Is there another form of schooling that incorporates these things into it's daily themes? |
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Well, many of us here try very hard to do this exact thing! We strive to test everything: hold fast to what is good.
Using these beautiful "what's" fits in seamlessly with a Charlotte Mason type curriculum - one which emphasizes beauty of ideas, and environment. Real Learning is all about meshing beauty in all its forms into the everyday learning.
I love using beautiful, natural fibers, recognizing the great beauty found in nature, taking a gentle approach to children and their environment.
While many of these ideas seem to be assigned to a Waldorf philosophy, you can find Charlotte Mason's vocabulary brimming with a deep love for nature study and beautiful, living ideas and environment. But, I don't think you can peg it exclusively to Charlotte either. God is the author of all that is beautiful and true, and in the end, it is fitting that the materials we choose to work with reflect Him - lovely, beautiful, imaginative.
The beauty inherent in more natural materials is that they are simple, gentle, attractive, and foster and nurture the imagination.
St. Paul tells us, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8)
I have absolutely no idea if I've come anywhere close to answering your question. But, I am saying, if you enjoy using natural materials, exploring God's awesome creation, and fostering a gentility in your days, just embrace things that are good, true, and beautiful and let the label go.
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trish
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| Posted: March 10 2009 at 11:27pm | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
Nuwer9980 wrote:
| I just know that I love the nature, artistic, musical, soothing, beautiful environment it creates and the use of natural materials. I just don't feel comfortable calling myself a "waldorf" educator. |
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Are you looking for a pre-packaged curriculum that contains all the what's of Waldorf with none of the philosophy and the why's?
Or, are you just looking for a name for what you do that isn't "Waldorf"?
Nuwer9980 wrote:
| Is there another form of schooling that incorporates these things into it's daily themes? |
|
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Well, many of us here try very hard to do this exact thing! We strive to test everything: hold fast to what is good.
Using these beautiful "what's" fits in seamlessly with a Charlotte Mason type curriculum - one which emphasizes beauty of ideas, and environment. Real Learning is all about meshing beauty in all its forms into the everyday learning.
I love using beautiful, natural fibers, recognizing the great beauty found in nature, taking a gentle approach to children and their environment.
While many of these ideas seem to be assigned to a Waldorf philosophy, you can find Charlotte Mason's vocabulary brimming with a deep love for nature study and beautiful, living ideas and environment. But, I don't think you can peg it exclusively to Charlotte either. God is the author of all that is beautiful and true, and in the end, it is fitting that the materials we choose to work with reflect Him - lovely, beautiful, imaginative.
The beauty inherent in more natural materials is that they are simple, gentle, attractive, and foster and nurture the imagination.
St. Paul tells us, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8)
I have absolutely no idea if I've come anywhere close to answering your question. But, I am saying, if you enjoy using natural materials, exploring God's awesome creation, and fostering a gentility in your days, just embrace things that are good, true, and beautiful and let the label go. |
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Thats beautifully said Jen. 
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julia s.
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I think I know what you mean -- you wonder if there is a similar ideology out there that emphasizes the natural, beautiful, more wholesome things, but doesn't require the editing that Waldorf does if you are a Catholic/christian parent? Something that has some grounding in child development theories along with using the natural materials?
I'm not sure, but I wish there was.
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Elizabeth
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There's this 
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Lisbet
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Exactly what Elizabeth said! :) Solidly beautiful, natural, gentle, and solidly Catholic.
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Nuwer9980
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i think i am just hung up on the name and the negative thoughts that i have towards waldorf philosophy. i am looking for catholic waldorf with a different name. is there a curriculum i can follow that is similar? i can't wait to check out the link from elisabeth. thank you!!! i am reading your book currently and enjoying it!:)
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KerryK
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The link that Elizabeth gave you is the best (and I think the only?) real "curriculum" I've seen that has elements of Waldorf yet is Catholic.
I think you'll find lots of people here who use bits and pieces of some Waldorf ideas, especially their use of good quality art materials, the focus on nature...etc.
At my house I try to use natural materials and good quality art materials when I can, and we do a lot of open ended art. I've never seen a packaged Catholic curriculum with a Waldorf style focus, though. I know that a lot of people here do what I do , which is to take bits and pieces from the different philosophies and make it into something new, something that works in a unique way for you and your family.
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Elizabeth
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KerryK wrote:
| The link that Elizabeth gave you is the best (and I think the only?) real "curriculum" I've seen that has elements of Waldorf yet is Catholic. |
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And it's free 
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Nuwer9980
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Elizabeth wrote:
| [And it's free |
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YAY!!!! Free is always an added bonus!!!!!
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hereinantwerp
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"natural homeschooling" or "natural rhythms homeschooling". just a little thought that popped in mind
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4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education
Topic: Alternatives to "Waldorf" (
