Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Living Learning (Forum Locked Forum Locked)
 4Real Forums : Living Learning
Subject Topic: Waldorf (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
Posted: Sept 25 2007 at 10:23pm | IP Logged  

So, back to our thread. I asked a question a few pages ago, that I don't think got answered.

Rebecca, you would probably be the one to help. I am looking at Oak Meadow for 6th, 4th and 2nd grades. Would the kids be independent enough that at least on some days, they could carry on without me?

As I get farther in this pregnancy, I am needing them to be more independent. There are days, today was one, where I just really melt down and need a break. Some days, I have a couple of good hours, and not always in a row, but would like to know that I can back off and still have them get something done.

Am I dreaming?



__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
Back to Top View teachingmyown's Profile Search for other posts by teachingmyown Visit teachingmyown's Homepage
 
Rebecca
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Dec 30 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1898
Posted: Sept 25 2007 at 10:38pm | IP Logged  

Molly, I am going to be honest with you and say that I doubt your second grader could do it without any help. I suppose he/she could practice reading on their own and copy something you have written for math (like odd and even numbers) into their main lesson book, practice some recorder, but you would need to be close by. The nice thing about it is that the lessons are presented by the week (Lesson 1 is for five days/one school week) so if you needed to take a day off, you could just pick up the next day and know where you needed to be.

My fifth grader is doing alot independently but I am still helping him for about an hour each day for his main subject (m-grammar, t-botany, w-history, th-botany, f-history)

Molly, maybe you could focus on the fables and stories that come with the second grade curriculum, reading those aloud when you are tired.    

I don't know. I really think it requires some work on the part of the parent each day.   Maybe someone else is using OM and can chime in.
Back to Top View Rebecca's Profile Search for other posts by Rebecca
 
kjohnson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 26 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 669
Posted: Sept 25 2007 at 10:51pm | IP Logged  

Jane Ramsey wrote:
First of all, let me say that I do not want to offend anyone, least of all Elizabeth, Katherine, or Rebecca, all of whom I have great respect and admiration for, and view as mentors in my home education journey.


Jane, I am most definitely not offended by you sharing your thoughts, so please know that. I think that these are all legitimate concerns and worthy of discussion.

Waldorf-inspired daily rhythms, handcrafts and art-infused learning are, as I believe Kim said, not true because they are Waldorf. They are simply well-expressed in the Waldorf curriculum. And I think that all of us who have discovered the beauty of some aspects of Waldorf also recognize (and have expressed) the problems that the underlying spirituality pose for us. Because of this we are trying to pull the beauty out of it and make it our own. And that is a process and will take time.

No one on this thread has talked about the anthropological undercurrent of a Waldorf education because no one on this forum is influenced by it. And yes, there is a risk that an uninformed reader could click on a Waldorf site and get confused by the spirituality presented. But I find this to be the case with much of what I do. I breastfeed for an extended period of time, sleep with my babies, use cloth diapers and eat organic foods. The books and resources out there for someone of that persuasion are most likely very liberal and often New Age. And I have a daughter who has severe allergies and we must shop at Whole Foods so that I can ensure that she doesn't have traces of tree nuts in her food. I cringe every time I swipe my check card through the scanner at that store. I know that our money is going to causes that I do not believe in. But at a certain point I have to be humble, make the sign of the Cross, and recognize that we live in a fallen world.

It is the same with educational books and resources. I don't agree with the author of every book I use. And I would hope that no one would read what I write on the message boards or on my blog and assume that I am a purist about education to the point that it directs my entire world view. But it is also difficult to take Waldorf ideas and disconnect them completely from Waldorf, if for no other reason than because of copyright issues. For example, Elizabeth would have been dishonest if after having gleaned inspiration from the Christopherus and Oak Meadow resources, she simply discarded the name Christopherus, Oak Meadow or Waldorf and presented them as Real Learning ideas.

One thing I've come to learn is that while we do have to recognize that we influence others by what we say and do (and post), we can't be held responsible for what people take out of context. Anyone who spends time here, or on the blogs mentioned, would know that the authors are not promoting anthroposophy or whatever the heck it's called.    But I think for all the possibilities of leading a devout mother astray, there are many more possibilities of sharing the Truth with others.

__________________
In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
Back to Top View kjohnson's Profile Search for other posts by kjohnson
 
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
Posted: Sept 25 2007 at 10:59pm | IP Logged  

Yes, Katherine, that's what I meant to say

__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce

Footprints on the Fridge
Back to Top View missionfamily's Profile Search for other posts by missionfamily Visit missionfamily's Homepage
 
Celeste
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: April 03 2006
Location: Nebraska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 263
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 12:25am | IP Logged  

LisaR wrote:
insegnante wrote:
LisaR wrote:
Where I have found gray area recently is within Montessori and CGS circles, and the heresy that is taught and yet it is under the auspices of being "Catholic" and therefore ok.


Yikes. I presume you're talking about problems with some individual programs and nothing intrinsic to Montessori or CGS?

Theresa

I'd rather not go into it here. Yes, it could be thought of as coming from individual programs . (but I have heard from about 8 different programs/different areas of the country on this).


When I first discovered the works of Sofia Cavalletti and CGS, I ran it all by Scott Hahn--it seemed solid to me but I wanted an expert's nihil obstat. (I had been searching for a way to translate for a child what I had learned from Hahn about Scripture and covenant, and CGS seemed an answer to prayer.) Turns out he had discovered it at about the same time, and was really excited about it. And apparently Sofia had discovered Hahn at about the same time and had gotten her hands on everything by him that she could. They have since met, and continue contact. Mutual admiration society, if you will.


Long way to say that I think CGS as developed by Sofia is solid, but not every atrium is necessarily; and I can't vouch for the national office. I do trust my CGS training program (3 of the trainers are Christendom grads besides being Montessori teachers).

Celeste
Back to Top View Celeste's Profile Search for other posts by Celeste
 
mariB
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Dec 20 2006
Location: Vermont
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3815
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:34am | IP Logged  

I am taking Molly's advice above and not sitting on my hands but giving my opinion.

Years ago, I was really researching the Waldorf method of education. The philosophy behind Waldorf really bothered me, but there was so much beauty in it. What we took away from it really was enjoying nature, playing a lot of beeswax, reading lots of fairy tales, and a growing love of literature due to the nature of taking things SLOWLY.

I am enjoying reading all of the Waldorf posts. I understand the concerns of some of the ladies...thats why I ended up using other materials besides Waldorf many years back. I love where we are at now with our learning...but thanks to Elizabeth's posts about Waldorf, I am making a major effort with the little ones. My four year old and I went on a short walk yesterday to collect anything she wanted outside to put in her basket while the older kids played croquet.

Thanks to the posts here about Waldorf, the rhythm of the day has slowed down. I am a big one for gleaning things from what others do and trying them out at home.

I won't be changing over to any Waldorf items so to speak because I have prayed about this school year and feel content with the materials and books we have chosen.

Will I keep reading the Waldorf posts? Yes! It has reminded me of the beauty of early childhood(one of my passions in the past)!

I will keep everyone in prayer at this board so that they will discern what is beautiful and holy for their families.

__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years

Back to Top View mariB's Profile Search for other posts by mariB Visit mariB's Homepage
 
Jane Ramsey
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Jan 05 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 652
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:46am | IP Logged  

Rebecca, I have to disagree with some of the things you said:

“I think the fact that the disclaimers are obvious explains why they are not present. I, personally, cannot imagine posting a warning each and every time the word Waldorf is used in a thread.”

I don’t understand this! The disclaimers are obvious, that’s why they are not there? The dangers of Waldorf are obvious to some people, not obvious to others. You cannot assume that everyone is as well-informed as you are. WHY NOT take a moment and put a disclaimer on a post saying “Waldorf is based on neo-paganism. Therefore take care when you read these materials, and be alert to elements that are contrary to our faith.” WHY NOT make that little, tiny effort to shield vulnerable souls from the temptation to stray?

“Charlotte Mason was not Catholic. Although Maria Montessori was a Catholic, most Montessori schools and organizations are no longer so. The leaders of much of the classical homeschooling movement are not Catholics. We do not forgo their good in fear of their misunderstandings/lack of fullness of the Truth.”

Did I ever say that we should only listen to Catholics or only read Catholic books? I never said that and I think it is a silly approach. But I would say there is a BIG difference between “not Catholic” and “not Christian”, and a bigger chasm opens when you get into NOT ONLY “not Catholic” and “not Christian” but pagan. I have no problem purchasing and using books that are from Protestant or non-sectarian sources. I DO have a problem purchasing from people that are BLATANTLY anti-Catholic or anti-Christian. That is what I’m saying.

“I do not believe that anyone is leading anyone into an evil philosophy. No one is even DISCUSSING an evil philosophy because no one is the least bit interested in the anthrosophy/philosophy behind true waldorf education. We are simply gleaning the things that are good about waldorf education and spitting out the rest.”

That is part of the problem here. No one is discussing the evil philosophy behind it. That is being swept under the rug. All that is being discussed is the bright, shiny “face” of Waldorf, with little concern being shown for those who may get sucked in by that illusion and end up embracing that evil philosophy. Call me an alarmist if you will but I do fear for the souls who may get deceived by it.

“There is not a single person on this forum who has requested to be someone's role model. If there are veterans here whom you relate to or look up to in some way, know that that is your own choice. No one has asked to be admired or imitated.”

I think that if you write a book, set up a forum, or post a blog, you are saying, “I have something to share with you. I can teach you something.” You in effect become a teacher, a leader, a role model, and you need to be aware that your words and actions affect others.

Now, Katherine:

“And I have a daughter who has severe allergies and we must shop at Whole Foods so that I can ensure that she doesn't have traces of tree nuts in her food. I cringe every time I swipe my check card through the scanner at that store. I know that our money is going to causes that I do not believe in. But at a certain point I have to be humble, make the sign of the Cross, and recognize that we live in a fallen world.”

I certainly understand this. I HAVE to shop at Walmart b/c it is the only store nearby that has what I need, although I hate to be supporting some of the things they support. But that is different. No one HAS to buy Waldorf products, or endorse Waldorf products.

“But it is also difficult to take Waldorf ideas and disconnect them completely from Waldorf, if for no other reason than because of copyright issues. For example, Elizabeth would have been dishonest if after having gleaned inspiration from the Christopherus and Oak Meadow resources, she simply discarded the name Christopherus, Oak Meadow or Waldorf and presented them as Real Learning ideas.”

I still say that Waldorf does not have a monopoly on art, nature, songs, and stories. These things can be found in many, many places. If there is something in particular someone wants to share that comes ONLY from Christopherus or Oak Meadow, then by all means share it and give them credit. But put that disclaimer on it, and make it clear that you are not recommending the whole curriculum or the whole Waldorf method.

Finally, I would like to say that none of us should consider ourselves to be above temptation, not matter how well formed we are in our Faith. Even Jesus was severely tempted. We are to guard our minds and hearts against evil, remembering that evil often comes wrapped in pretty packages.
Back to Top View Jane Ramsey's Profile Search for other posts by Jane Ramsey
 
Elizabeth
Founder
Founder

Real Learning

Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 6:31am | IP Logged  

I had server issues last night. I read the thread but I couldn't post. I want to thank Molly, and Katherine and Rebecca, especially for taking the time to respond last night. I think they expressed very well what I would have said if I could have. There's really just one more point I want to make very clear. I've been posting about the educational implications of Waldorf's influence in my home. I have not posted about anthroposophy or any other spiritual aspect (except to warn that it's there in some of the books) because that's not what is inspiring me. I was looking for a way to recapture some of the magic (no pun intended) of my early homeschooling years. I was not looking for a new religion. I love my faith and I do assume that everyone else here does, too.

Marianne, I love your redirection back to our conversation and it's so perfect. You're in Vermont. Lots of thing in Vermont are --er-- crunchy and not Catholic . Oak Meadow is in Vermont. I think Oak Meadow is perfect for someone who wants a touch of Waldorf and no anthroposophy. It's pretty much scrubbed clean of any spirituality in order to gain public accreditation. Kim mentioned the Teacher Manual Set. I don't have time right this minute to re-read the Heart of Teaching and guarantee there are no spiritual reference. But I guarantee there is good educational guidance there with no more funky spirituality than an average trip to the natural foods store and a flip through Mothering magazine.

Your second grader will not be entirely independent but mine is more independent than the way it's written. One thing I would caution: OM has you read the science stories at night before bed and then get the narration in the AM. I agree to give him a little time to digest it, but I think reading the next day's narration assignment before bed at night is a bad idea. (And so does Donna Simmons, btw )

Finally, why couldn't I just write about everything we were doing and call it "Real Learning?" I can. It is. We are learning at home with each other and I've taken the whole thing to prayer. More than ever before, I'm sure this is what God wants for our family. That's Real Learning. But it would have been extremely dishonest to pretend it was all my idea. I read tons of books all summer long and sifted and sorted and thought about what I wanted for the fall. Some of them will never make it to the "doing" stage; I'll never write about those because I don't have time to write negative reviews. I'm a mom at home with my kids and we are actually doing all of this. But the positive things, well, I just wanted to pass them along. They've made our days better. They've blessed us. And I do hope they bless you, too. I read around the objectionable stuff. In reality, you could just read the blogs and threads of the people here and never touch the originals.

__________________
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)
Back to Top View Elizabeth's Profile Search for other posts by Elizabeth
 
LLMom
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 19 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 995
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 6:42am | IP Logged  

I looked into (and owned) some of the elementary OM a long time ago. (I had K and 2nd). I loved the method BUT looking back now, I could not do it with a large family. (at the time, I only had 2 school age children) It is very mom-intensive at least through 5th grade. I guess you could have them do more on their own but it mentions in the syllabus for Mom to tell a story, etc. I don't think this curriculum will free mom up if that is what anyone is looking for. (other than to have it planned out already)

__________________
Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
Back to Top View LLMom's Profile Search for other posts by LLMom
 
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 7:09am | IP Logged  

We had lightning storms last night and I had to turn off the computer, so I'm a little late to the new turn in the discussion. As I was reading through, one thing was bothering me, and Katherine hit on it well.

kjohnson wrote:

But it is also difficult to take Waldorf ideas and disconnect them completely from Waldorf, if for no other reason than because of copyright issues. For example, Elizabeth would have been dishonest if after having gleaned inspiration from the Christopherus and Oak Meadow resources, she simply discarded the name Christopherus, Oak Meadow or Waldorf and presented them as Real Learning ideas.


If Elizabeth suddenly started talking about her plans without mentioning resources, the first question people would have asked is "what are you reading that inspired you?" Even if we disagree wildly with someone's philosophy, we have to give credit where credit is due. Otherwise, I'd honestly feel like I was lying.

Several years back I read a book called The Baby Whisperer. In most ways, it is contrary to *everything* I believe about good parenting (we are big AP advocates here). However, I gleaned some great ideas that I have used through 2 babies now and will use again with our new baby. Honestly, I felt weird when I was with my friends at first because we were talking baby ideas and I didn't want them know what I'd been reading because I knew they would disapprove! But in the end, I still feel like I would have been lying if I had not been honest about where I learned these helpful tricks.

I have been around fear based rules. There are all sorts of unwritten but well understood rules in the protestant community about what is truly godly (not trying to generalize too much here...just sharing an experience). When I was first a Christian, it was still a commonly held belief that organics/herbs were New Age and therefore off limits to all true believers. The fear was always 'causing someone else to stumble.' I am grateful that the Catholic Church encourages us to glean and find Truth wherever Truth is. We are not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline (2Tim 1:7). It is also extremely helpful when sharing the faith with others if we can first find common ground with people who believe differently.

I am not advocating carelessness about the importance of being a good example, a role model, or causing someone to stumble. There is a fine line between being a good role model and not holding others accountable for their decisions. If a believer is prayerful about what she reads, God can be trusted to help her to discern if Waldorf reading is good for her right now, or not. We cannot take the place of the Holy Spirit in another's life. And honestly, if Waldorf is the *only* thing that led a baby Catholic to stray...well, I think its highly likely that if it hadn't been Waldorf, it would have been something else.

This entire forum is roundly criticized in some small Catholic circles for being too open to ideas, to non Catholic materials. Charlotte Mason is viewed with suspicion because of her Anglicanism. Secular and protestant works are viewed with suspicion too. Laura Berquist takes heat for using Abeka math, science and history in the early years. We can either shy away and be ashamed of what we are learning and what God has brought into our lives, or we can speak without fear, honestly crediting what has helped us, and live our faith boldly. It was Catholics who weren't ashamed of their authentic Faith and the freedom inherent in it that first inspired me to look twice...even if they prayed to Mary.

I am so grateful for the voices of dissent on all sorts of threads here, and there have been quite a few doozies at times. It helps me to remember to read and glean. Talking about ideas and why they are good or bad helps me to take an active part in continuing my own journey of learning.

I love you all and am incredibly grateful for the difference you've made in my life and in my homeschool.

__________________
Blessings,

~Books

mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
Back to Top View Bookswithtea's Profile Search for other posts by Bookswithtea
 
Jane Ramsey
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Jan 05 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 652
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 7:10am | IP Logged  

I'm going to exit this thread now.
If anyone wants to discuss it further with me, please PM me.
I am not going to read any more of these posts because I am not at all interested in implementing Waldorf in my home and so it is becoming a waste of my time.
I can find all the inspiration I need for art, nature, and rhythm from other, less offensive sources.
God is the source of art, nature, and rhythm, not Rudolf Steiner!
Don't tell me that pagans know more about those things than Christians do, or they do it better. I'm just not buying it.
I still do not understand the desire to promote a curriculum based on a pagan philosophy. I do not consider any of it worth risking people's souls.
God bless,
Jane
Back to Top View Jane Ramsey's Profile Search for other posts by Jane Ramsey
 
Jane Ramsey
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Jan 05 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 652
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 7:22am | IP Logged  

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to be so confrontational. I MEANT to bow out gracefully. I love and respect you all and I will leave you to your conversation.
Back to Top View Jane Ramsey's Profile Search for other posts by Jane Ramsey
 
Rebecca
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Dec 30 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1898
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 7:29am | IP Logged  

Jane, I assumed from your conversation with your sister in law that you were advocating buying only Catholic materials. I am sorry if that assumption was wrong. I apologize. I know that your concern is that no one is swayed from Catholicism to anthroposophy. I am sorry if I offended you as I know your writing is in love for the women on this forum. Though I do believe that we can take the good away from Waldorf and eliminate the rest, I will post a warning below so that anyone reading this thread will be aware of the Waldorf conflict you mentioned.

I will reiterate here for anyone unfamiliar with Waldorf, that one would not want to follow Waldorf spirituality as it is contrary to our Catholic faith. It's founder, Rudolph Steiner, was not a Catholic and believed things that are completely contrary to our Faith. Please be aware that many of the educational books are rooted in this spirituality. Most that have been mentioned here in this thread are books that do not focus on the spiritual side. However, it is possible that you may come across this spirituality if you look into learning more about this method of education. That being said, all of the Catholic women who are reading this thread should read any Waldorf based books with caution, sifting out what you can use that is good and eliminating that which is not. As in any educational approach that is not Catholic, please use common sense and proceed with caution and prayer.
Back to Top View Rebecca's Profile Search for other posts by Rebecca
 
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 8:32am | IP Logged  

Where can I learn more about the Christian sub-themes in Fairy Tales? I have some information on Anderson's, but I have never heard the things you mentioned about Snow White, Elizabeth. I was planning on reading Snow White this week as a go along to our Apple Unit, and would love to include this.

__________________
Blessings,

~Books

mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
Back to Top View Bookswithtea's Profile Search for other posts by Bookswithtea
 
kjohnson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 26 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 669
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 8:38am | IP Logged  

One clarification. I do not blog because I think I have something to teach someone else. If I came at it from that perspective I would stop blogging entirely. Pride is more dangerous than anything we have been discussing here. I blog because I love my life with my children and want a beautiful record of it. And the fact that I have found a community through the process is a great blessing for which I'm thankful. But it's about wanting to share with others what has blessed our family, not about wanting to teach or direct others. Lord, have mercy.

I also think it's important to mention that the Waldorf materials that I have read (the Christopherus materials) are not anti-Christian. There's a difference between not being Christian and being anti-Christian. Donna Simmons has been explicit in describing her worldview and is always offering the suggestion that people coming from other traditions WILL interpret what they take from Waldorf in the context of their own faith. In the beginning of this thread both Elizabeth and I mentioned that many of the Waldorf materials are easier to navigate through than even some Protestant materials. And this is because the Waldorf materials are not presented in a tone of anti-anything.

I am not suggesting that non-Christians can better express truth and beauty, but I think that it's beyond a doubt that they *can* express these things and this is the work of the Holy Spirit. St. John Chrysosotom once said that there are many sheep within the Church who will end up in hell and many sheep without who will find salvation. The Holy Spirit is "everywhere present and fillest all things." How else would the Father care for His children outside of the Body of the Church? And discovering and implementing truth and beauty that another human being, created in the image of God, has discovered is a good thing. As St. Basil said, "So we, if wise, shall take from heathen books whatever befits us and is allied to the truth, and shall pass over the rest. And just as in culling roses we avoid the thorns, from such writings as these we will gather everything useful, and guard against the noxious. So, from the very beginning, we must examine each of their teachings, to harmonize it with our ultimate purpose, according to the Doric proverb, 'testing each stone by the measuring-line." It is not a sin to, with a discerning spirit, use parts of the Waldorf approach. And according to one of the greatest fathers of the Church, it is not irresponsible either.

Coming from the perspective of an Orthodox Christian, if I didn't look for the good in the fruits of others, I would have very little educational resources for my family. And from the Roman Catholic perspective I would say that fear of pagan literature is not part of the western tradition either. Thomas Aquinas built his system of theology by meshing the Christian faith with the thought of the pagan philosopher, Aristotle. I've taken two theology courses at the University of Dallas that were concerned with this aspect of Aquinas.

In the end I take no offense and completely respect the decision of someone else that chooses not to read Waldorf materials or any other materials that bother them. I certainly wouldn't push anything on anyone. And those things I post are posted, not to influence others, but to record what we're doing in our home...and right now we've gotta whole lotta beeswax going on.     

__________________
In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
Back to Top View kjohnson's Profile Search for other posts by kjohnson
 
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 8:46am | IP Logged  

The bottom line here is to be prudent for yourself and your family. Don't we have to do this with everything, Catholic and non-Catholic materials?

This discussion reminds me of the Harry Potter dilemma. There is not right answer for all of us. We have to discern the material based on what we know to be true and right and good. We do this by knowing our Catholic faith well and our children well.


__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!

Back to Top View Maria B.'s Profile Search for other posts by Maria B. Visit Maria B.'s Homepage
 
Elizabeth
Founder
Founder

Real Learning

Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:02am | IP Logged  

Bookswithtea wrote:
Where can I learn more about the Christian sub-themes in Fairy Tales? I have some information on Anderson's, but I have never heard the things you mentioned about Snow White, Elizabeth. I was planning on reading Snow White this week as a go along to our Apple Unit, and would love to include this.


I'm giggling here. I'm working on writing a fairy tale unit for bigger kids. I talked to Regina Doman yesterday afternoon. She pointed all that out to me. Regina has authored three modern day fairy tales for teenagers. She points out that any story that continues to be told thousands of years later is one that we should note. We got cut off yesterday (I had to get out the door to the doctor) but I'm hoping to talk with her more about these very things. In the meantime, I'm cobbling together a unit so that my older ones can get from fairy tales something altogether different than my youngers, but we can all be on the same page, so to speak.

__________________
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)
Back to Top View Elizabeth's Profile Search for other posts by Elizabeth
 
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:20am | IP Logged  

Elizabeth wrote:

She points out that any story that continues to be told thousands of years later is one that we should note.


A good point. I've always shied away from fairy tales and the like because I just didn't know how to teach them well.

I was poking around Amazon yesterday while looking at Elsa Beskow books and discovered through a google reader link that all of her books are recommended in O'Brien's Landscape with Dragons. They look gorgeous.

Has anyone read the one about Blueberries? I am doing a FIAR unit on Blueberries for Sal later in the year and am thinking about including this book as a go along. Her books don't seem to be cheaper used. I got Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury for a steal (about 1.50 plus media mail shipping) as my kids introduction to Trolls.

I guess I am going to have to learn more about how all of these things...gnomes, trolls, fairies, etc...were used orally by parents to teach children right from wrong?

__________________
Blessings,

~Books

mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
Back to Top View Bookswithtea's Profile Search for other posts by Bookswithtea
 
LisaR
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2226
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:35am | IP Logged  

Celeste wrote:
When I first discovered the works of Sofia Cavalletti and CGS, I ran it all by Scott Hahn--it seemed solid to me but I wanted an expert's nihil obstat. (I had been searching for a way to translate for a child what I had learned from Hahn about Scripture and covenant, and CGS seemed an answer to prayer.) Turns out he had discovered it at about the same time, and was really excited about it. And apparently Sofia had discovered Hahn at about the same time and had gotten her hands on everything by him that she could. They have since met, and continue contact. Mutual admiration society, if you will.


Long way to say that I think CGS as developed by Sofia is solid, but not every atrium is necessarily; and I can't vouch for the national office. I do trust my CGS training program (3 of the trainers are Christendom grads besides being Montessori teachers).

Celeste


www.cctheo.org
this is where I found the Buddhist Atrium, along with some very disturbing content- however, I want to add that this is NOT the National CGS website- although they work very closely together and mutually refer one another.
There are also well known and respected Theology profs/Philosophy profs from Steubenville who have written against CGS- mainly because of what has occured within the "modern movement" so to speak, and also pointing that Montessori was developed for a very specific population of children, and the majority of "our Children" do not fall within that category.
I do not want to bash CGS here, but wanted to clarify my source. thanks!

__________________
Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
Back to Top View LisaR's Profile Search for other posts by LisaR
 
Elizabeth
Founder
Founder

Real Learning

Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:46am | IP Logged  

Books,
The blueberry book is darling and would definitely work with Sal. But, Peter also visits Mrs. Cranberry, so it works for a fall book too. Did I mention it's darling? I love, love, love the Elsa Beskow books. And since they are translations, I'm really astonished at how beautifully written they are. The language is not stilted at all.

I think she draws like Alice Cantrell. And I love Alice's drawings.


__________________
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)
Back to Top View Elizabeth's Profile Search for other posts by Elizabeth
 

<< Prev Page of 10 Next >>
  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com