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saigemom
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| Posted: April 21 2008 at 6:44am | IP Logged
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Can someone point me to some books or websites about Waldorf for the older child? I guess I always thought it was only for preschool, but then someoene gave me School as a Journey to read...I am really liking it, but I would like some more info. Thanks.
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Sarah M
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| Posted: April 21 2008 at 10:25am | IP Logged
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Hi there. Donna Simmons has some great articles at her Christopherus website. Her curriculum overview is a bit pricey, ($55, I think), but it gives a good idea of what Waldorf looks like through grade 8. I love my copy. I've also been dinking around at Waldorf Without Walls and Why Waldorf Works. We are going to use the Oak Meadow Curriculum next year (Waldorf-inspired, though not pure waldorf by any means), and they have some great articles on their website. Their curriculum goes up to grade 8. Of course, if you are looking for ideas to use with multiple ages, then definitely visit Serendipity, Elizabeth Foss's lessons. They are a beautiful mixture of CM and Waldorf and work wonderfully for mixed age groups.
Hope that helps. 
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mama251ders
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| Posted: April 21 2008 at 10:48am | IP Logged
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You should definitely visit A Little Garden Flower. The curriculum and ideas there are inspiring. We are using her curriculum next year and the price can't be beat. You do have to provide the resources, but I have found most of mine at least half off. I'd write more, but our puppy seems to have decided to destroy the house and has roped the children into helping. TTFN!
Blessings,
Betsie
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Benny, Braidon, Olivia, Anna and Saragh
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saigemom
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| Posted: April 22 2008 at 7:06am | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies I will check those out.
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saigemom
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| Posted: April 24 2008 at 7:56am | IP Logged
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So here is where I am as of now...
I Love A little garden flower-Have you heard the CDs? Do you think they are worth purchasing?
Serendipity- Is all of that made up by Elizabeth Foss or is she using a method from a book? If so does anyone know what book? Thank you very much.
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: April 24 2008 at 9:13am | IP Logged
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I've read lots and lots of books and Serendipity is a culmination of all I wanted to offer my children. It's definitely flavored by both Waldorf and Charlotte Mason, but it's also Catholic and neither of those are. The Alphabet Path takes a letter a week and incorporates an original story and art. This year's focus has been botany and we've woven flower fairies into the story and then taken the flower trail into all of botany. Each week we introduce a saint--some weeks it's two--with a specific short poem and a picture. Then, there is a list of other saints whose names share that letter of the alphabet and a suggestion of reading on those saints. There are ideas for other pictures books beginning with that letter as well. And there recipes. We also integrate an art book with an ABC theme for picture study.
We've got plans for different themes for next year, still using the alphabet pattern. That way, you can pick and choose from both years' plans.
Here is the archives of the Alphabet Path. Right now, the letters are in order with the most recent one first. You need to scroll to the bottom to get the first letter.
Along the Alphabet Path
Then, there are math plans, too. These are in the process of being revived. The original plans were written by Katherine Johnson. Maria Ashwell is stepping up to help us get going again. Gnomes and Gnumbers
Colleen Mitchell has taken the alphabet them and arranged our favorite Geography resources. G is for Geography
My favorite component of Serendipity is the grammar lessons. We are slowly making our way through the Ruth Heller books, creating main lesson books as we go. My children have learned so much this way! Lively Language Lessons
You asked specifically about the older child. How old is "older"?
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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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mama251ders
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| Posted: April 24 2008 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
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From A Little Garden Flower, I have the K, 1 and 5 books and I am getting ready to order the Before the Journey book. I think the whole thing is worth it! I love these books and only wish I had found them earlier.
Blessings,
Betsie
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saigemom
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| Posted: April 28 2008 at 11:06am | IP Logged
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Dear all,
Thanks so much for all of the information you have given so far. I am enjoying sifting through all of the sights. Oak Meadow seems to have some lovely books also. Elizabeth, serendipity is amazing. I guess I should have figured I'd love it since I poured over Real Learning
So...now I have some more questions (I hope I'm not asking too many  ) I'll give some info. first though and see if that helps. I have 3 children.
My oldest is 8 1/2 and a boy. He is very self-motivated. He is also very gifted, not a genius, but very gifted. I can give him a book to read and not only will he read it, but he will remember most of it including the fine details like dates and places. He loves history, esp. military and ship wrecks. His favorite author is Robert Ballard and when we go to the library his favorite part is getting to pick a free National Geographic. He is also ahead in Math. He is currently in a 4th grade book and when I recently had him take the Saxon placement test he was put in 6/5 or 7/6. I am not trying to brag, just trying to give the best picture for the best advice.
My dd is about to be 7. She is bright, but ADHD. She is reading chapter books and loves it. She is on target with math, but needs me to stay on target. I have no problem with that. I like to be hands on with school. She and her brother both enjoy creating art.
My youngest son is 5 1/2. We adopted him 2 yrs. ago through foster care. He has a harder time. We spent most of the yr. working on learning to read b/c he wanted to so badly. He has a difficult time retaining info. though. I've tried hands on, audio, reading...He's been diagnosed ADD. I don't want to push him, but he pushes himself b/c he wants to be like his brother and sister. He really has a hard time with math concepts.
The changes and stresses here after the adoption were huge. I feel like we have gotten out of the CM/unschooling method that worked so well in the begining and ended up too workbooky for any of our tastes. Plus, there is so much competition btwn. them. I am really looking for something new that is more connecting forus as a family. So, here are my questions:
1) Do you think Waldorf would work for all of my kids?
or...do you think I should look into more for the youngest?
2) Those of you using Waldorf...do you find that it gives you more positive time as a family?
3) Do you combine your teaching or do you do each sep?
Currently I combine science and history. I give the same info, but diff. assign. Thanks for reading this long post. I appreciate you letting me "pick your brain" while I research this method.
Yours in Christ,
Saigemom
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donnalynn
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+
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donnalynn
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JuliaT
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I, like Donna, do not use Waldorf exclusively but our learning days definitely have a Waldorf feel to them. I definitely think that since we have started our Waldorf-inspired learning that our time together has been nurturing and calming to our family as a whole.
I have a soon-to-be 9 yr. old and a 7 yr. old. Due to my oldest's birthday, according to Waldorf thinking, she will be in Gr. 3 next year and my middle will be in Gr. 2. With a Waldorf curriculum, Gr. 2 has an animal story blocks as well as a block on Saints. I don't want my ds to miss out on that so for the language arts blocks, I will do them separate as well as math. But for science and history, I will do them together. It all depends on what the block is and if my ds can handle it.
As far as your first question, I can't answer that because every family is so different. The only way to know is if you take the plunge. When I started out with Waldorf, I did it as a month long experiment. It is now almost 7 months later and this is definitely the right fit for us.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)
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saigemom
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| Posted: May 06 2008 at 6:50am | IP Logged
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I just wanted to tell you all thanks so much for all the info. you gave. I was able to go to a Waldorf Conference the past 3 days put on by Barbara Dewey of Waldorf Without Walls. I am so excited to put what I learned into practice! There are certain things I will tweak a bit, but for the most part I really think this is going to work really well for my family.
Plus, I am blessed to know about Serendipity, so I have amazing resources at my fingertips:o) Elizabeth, thanks so much for what you're doing over there. During the conference I didn't feel like a total beginer because I had seen your gnomes and I knew just where to look to find authentic stories of the Saints.
Can you all tell I had a great time 
Blessings to you all and thanks again for your help.
-saigemom
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: May 06 2008 at 7:30am | IP Logged
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Oooh... I have conference envy. You should start a new thread, saigemom, and tells us all the choicest parts of what you learned and what you're going to do with it.
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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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JuliaT
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| Posted: May 06 2008 at 8:35am | IP Logged
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Saigemom, I would love to hear about this conference as well. I think this is the closest that I will ever get to a Waldorf conference. Where I live, Waldorf is considered a foreign language.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3(8,7,5)
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msclavel
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| Posted: May 06 2008 at 2:22pm | IP Logged
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Oh yes Saigemom, please share more.
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saigemom
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 6:36am | IP Logged
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I started a new thread in Real Learning if anyone is interested.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Waldorf recommendations (
