4Real Forums: What I learned at my Waldorf Conference

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.

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Topic: What I learned at my Waldorf Conference

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saigemom
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Joined: March 18 2008
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Posted: May 08 2008 at 12:02pm \| IP Logged

Okay. This will have to be done in parts since I am still processing and reading.

The main lesson is set up similar to a unit study, which basically means that the one topic is studied for several weeks. I am told that the typical length is about 3-4 weeks. The main lesson time usually lasts about 2 hrs. What I found most interesting though is the fact that when math is not a main lesson it moves to the movement category.

So, for example, for 3-4 weeks you would teach about the math gnomes in the main lesson. During this time you would tell stories, make gnomes, work problems with the gnomes, ect. Then for the next 4 weeks the main lesson would be on Fables (for 2nd grade). During this time you would toss the bean bag or play hand games about numbers-counting by 2s, 3, 4,ect. then moving on to saying the problem when the pattern is memorized. I just thought that was such an amazing alternative to workbooks. (Although we will prob. still do some workbook stuff, but that's at my house, not waldorf)

The two hour main lesson is too much time for my house. I am going to combine the kids for morning circle time(prayers instead of verses), music (recorder or singing), and sometimes for movement games. Then I want to try to give each child 1 hour of individual time.

Barbara Dewey from Waldorf Without Walls gave the conference I went to. She really helped to understand the why and how of a lot of Waldorf. I'll post more about all of that later. Hope this helps. If anyone has any specific questions about something she may have talked about feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.-Saigemom

Sarah M
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Joined: Jan 06 2008
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Posted: May 08 2008 at 12:41pm \| IP Logged

Oooooh- thanks! I didn't realize that math moved to movement when it wasn't the main lesson. I like that. We could totally adopt that around here. Also- about the two-hour main lesson, I know that Donna Simmons says a home waldorf program would probably have main lessons that last 45 minutes-1 hour. I think that seems more realistic for a home environment.

Thanks for sharing- keep it coming!

JuliaT
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Posted: May 08 2008 at 4:17pm \| IP Logged

Thanks, saigemom, for posting this. I think the length of a mainlesson (at least in a homeschool setting) depends on the age of the child. My oldest can usually do a mainlesson for an hour and a half, whereas my ds (7) is good if he can last for 45 min.

Whenever you have time, I would love to 'hear' more.

Blessings
Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

saigemom
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Joined: March 18 2008
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Posted: May 13 2008 at 6:57am \| IP Logged

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one that thought 2 hrs. wasn't going to work for main lesson time

Form Drawing- I really had no idea what this was until the conference. She recommends form drawing for 20 min. 1x a week. (She doesn't think it should be a main lesson) It helps with learning composition on a page-how to center something, w/ writing, and w/ drawing skills. It is a large motor activity, so it should be done standing up and at a table where the child can have a straight arm.

1. Present the form-draw in front of
2. Practice the form by walking the shape, drawing it in the dirt outside, tracing on eachother's backs
3. Then set up their paper. It should be taped to the table so that it doesn't move around. Then they should draw with their finger. When the form can be made, use a crayon to lightly draw it. Then go over and over it-can go back and forth.
4. For younger children you can also fold the paper in the middle to help learn centering

What's I really liked is the way that a story is told with the form. One example from Barbara Dewey was Cl-it was about an old grandmother that had a walking stick.

I found the whole exercise to be very relaxing and almost meditative once we moved into the drawing on paper stage. Form drawing will be one of the things that we will do together sometimes. My oldest can prob. do some harder ones, so I'll do him sep. some days. I can see a benefit in him doing the easier ones with his siblings though.

Thanks for reading all the way through this. May God Bless your Day.-Saigemom

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