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kjohnson
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| Posted: Sept 27 2007 at 12:00pm | IP Logged
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I thought that it may be beneficial to begin a new thread on a positive note. Theresa asked a great question in the Waldorf thread that has yet to be given an in depth answer. All of us here are in agreement that the undercurrent spirituality and philosophy of a Waldorf education is not in keeping with our faith. But still many of us have found much richness in Waldorf resources.
Perhaps it would be helpful for all of us to share how we are implementing Waldorf educational ideas in our homes and, by God's grace, making them authentically our own. And for those who are not interested in wading through books that contain a spirituality that is not in agreement with our own, perhaps we can offer ideas without steering anyone toward any particular ideas that are potentially problematic.
I can start off with the topic of handcrafts with natural fibers. We have always been creative in our learning, but it's been in the last year that I've introduced our children to quality art supplies. Modeling beeswax, beeswax crayons, tube watercolors, wool felt...there is an enjoyment in using these materials. I find my children wanting to express themselves artistically because they enjoy the medium at hand. And I've also found that I am enjoying working with the materials as well.
Quality art and handcraft material has added a new dimension to our well-established practice of narration. It seems that narration, whether oral or written, is a sign that a child has made something their own. They have processed the ideas and are able to express them. But adding the element of the visual to the narration brings the expression to another level. Whether it is a watercolor, a model made of beeswax or a character made of felt, when the child can present the idea both verbally and visually it seems to be a peak of expression.
This is a truth of the Faith as well. Whether it is in the architecture of the church building, the line and form of an icon or the beauty of stained glass, the Faith has always been transmitted to the faithful through the visual sense. Obviously the fathers knew that man, a being with 5 senses, learns not only by hearing but also by seeing and touching.
And now for a shameless plug...I'll be hosting the Loveliness Fair of Natural Fibers on October 8. It is my hope that we can all share ways in which our children have benefited from working with these beautiful, natural materials and how it has enhanced their learning.
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In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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JuliaT
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Katherine, thank you for starting this thread. I think they are many positive things that Waldorf has to offer. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to discuss them.
I am relatively new to Waldorf. It has only been in the past month that my interest has been piqued by this philosophy. This past week has been a time of implementing some elements of Waldorf into our learning time. I have seen a positive impact on my children.
The three main areas that we are focusing on is: nature, art and rhythm. I have always had difficulty in implementing nature study into our days. The thought of sketching things just did not excite me. The way that I see nature now is that of interacting. The kids and I go for walks and collect things that we can put on our seasonal table. We make things from what we have gathered. Next week, we will make pine cone people as well as making an autumn wreath from the treasures that we have found on our walks. That never occurred to me to do that before. We are using our nature treasures and integrating them with other subjects as well. For ex. my pre--schooler is using the pine cones for a math activity that I made up for her. My children are getting excited about interacting with nature.
Art and crafts was also an area that I never got to before. Art was always picture study, there was no interaction with the elements of art or the materials themselves. I had oil pastels, watercolours, and clay but they weren't being used because we didn't have time to use them. I saw them as a separate entity. Now I see them as part of our subjects. We use them for narrations. I can see using them for math, phonics (when I start it with my youngest) nature study, etc. We are integrating art into our learning. This integration is helping my children to be more creative but also to help them with their emotions.
That brings me to the most important way that a Waldorf element has been used in our family. That element is rhythm. In order for you to understand how important this is to me I need to give you some background on my children. All three of my kids are HIGHLY sensitive. This just doesn't mean that their feelings get hurt at the drop of a hat.(although that does happen) My children are extremely senstive when it comes to touch, taste, smell and noise. Quite often my kids become over-stimulated by every day life and it causes them to have major meltdowns. This isn't a discipline problem, this is a sensory problem. I have become more aware of it this year, to the point where I have been so overwhelmed as to how to help my kids cope with all of this. This is where rhythm comes in.
I am learning that when my kids are overwhelmed by a lesson or by the noise that their siblings are making, then I need to bring them to a quiet, soothing activity. I am learning to alternate a quiet activity with an active activity. I am learning to be more aware of the rhythms in our life and how they affect my children. Let me give you an example: one day this week my 8 yr. old was to write out her narration. I told her that she only had to do part of it for today. I soon heard tears from the other side of the couch. I gathered her up and cuddled with her while reading a chapter of A Little Princess. When we were done, she asked if she could try the narration again. She ended up writing the whole thing. That time of cuddling energized her enough to finish it. Then we went into math. Math causes angst as well with her. So after math, she drew a picture for her narration. I am alternating something that causes her angst with something that gives her pleasure. I am doing this with all of my chidren. It is helping so much.
I mentioned in the previous thread that our family has had a year of upheaval. This has caused stress for both me and the children. I am finding, though, that in interacting with nature and art, we are able to defuse the stress. I am finding an outlet for our feelings of stress and pain. In using this outlet, we are able to praise and worhsip God for His World, His beauty and His love. Yes, I know that other philosophies and methods do this as well, but they didn't do it for my family. These elements made things more vivid and more real for us.
This is not to say that I am giving my children a Waldorf Education. I am not a purist of any kind of education. I just take what I like from each method and squish it all together to make our own philosophy.
Oh my goodness, this is so long! But I am glad that I was able to write this all out. Thank you for that opportunity.
Blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(8,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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Julia,
I understand  . My son is SO DISTRACTABLE when it comes to schoolwork, it is very frustrating for me not to be able to go off and fold laundry and such if he is working on his own with mathematics.
I have found though, that with such things as a 'main lesson block' which we work as in the 'studies' portion of LCC or the Avilian block lessons that Willa posted about the other day, that I can get other things accomplished.
The kids LOVE the natural fibres and materials for painting and modelling. My DD requested I make St. Michael and the Dragon for the nature table this week. I wanted her to make it, but she just wanted to watch  . She then spent AGES playing with the beeswax figures and re-enacting the St. Michael story I had told her at bedtime!
They both love the block crayons and watercolours. And DS loves the main lesson books.
These little 'things' have enriched our homeschool life immensely, and were just incorporated into our regular school, courtesy of Waldorf resources!
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~Rachel~
Wife to William
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Lighting a Fire
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BrendaPeter
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The block crayons are just wonderful. Even I enjoy coloring with them.
Elizabeth mentioned some "fairy" books on the other thread & I don't remember if she mentioned Fairy Fables by Louisa May Alcott. I borrowed it from a friend. It's really delightful!
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Brenda (mom to 6)
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Kristie 4
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The first block crayons we bought (when ds 12 was about 1) were indestructable- finally lost the last one a couple years ago in a move. It was COVERED with toddler tooth impressions  . What wonderful colors too!
We would like to try beeswax. I have never molded with it. But I used to make some beautiful handdipped candles when we had a cheap source nearby!
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Kristie in Canada
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kjohnson
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When I began this thread I did so with the intention of providing a place for us to share Waldorf-inspired ideas as they are incorporated in an authentically Christian home. So many ladies have asked those who have read and incorporated Waldorf ideas for their opinion on what Waldorf elements are consistent with a Christian home and what are incompatible. While the boards were down Elizabeth Foss and I spent a great deal of time fleshing out something we had been working on for the past few months. Our conversations during those months consisted of how to best implement what we found was true and beautiful from Waldorf sources. How do we make this our own? As we began to find the answer to that question and using our new ideas in real life with our real children, we began to mold something that was not necessary Waldorf, but had been infused with the ideas that we found well-expressed by Waldorf educators. We were soon sharing our lesson plans (Google Calendar is such a fun tool) and it wasn't too long before we were writing our own curriculum.
Because there have been so many questions about what is this Waldorf thing and how can I learn about it without being swept away into error, Elizabeth and I decided to create a co-authored blog dedicated to sharing our lesson plans. Now, it's important to know that what we are writing and sharing would not be considered "Waldorf" by a Waldorf purist. For instance, in a Waldorf education each child in a family would be learning an entirely different subject matter. According to the thought behind this, each age presents certain developmental needs and the main lesson blocks are designed to meet those needs. Well, I have 5 children and Elizabeth has 8 (and even though Michael is now in college, she still cares for Gracie every day...so let's call it 9 :-). Having a separate main lesson for each child wouldn't work for a single day in either of our homes. So, using the main lesson idea, we designed a horizontal and vertical curriculum...horizontal in that it spans the curriculum and vertical in that it spans the ages.
Many may wonder if this is not simply a re-invented unit study approach. Yes and no. Unit studies tend to take a topic and span it across the entire curriculum, extracting bits from various subjects. A main lesson does not do this, but instead concentrates on one "main lesson." It has been my experience that a broad unit study tends to dilute subject matter. If you're trying to pull history, science, math, literature, art geography, etc... out of a single time period or a single book the subjects quickly become diluted. "Jack of all trades, master of none." The main lesson concentrates on only one of those subjects and probes deeply for a given period of time. For instance, when you're studying science, you're not concerning yourself with pulling out history. You'll get to history later. And when your attention switches gears to history, what you learned in science has a chance to sink in. When I was a student at the University of Dallas I often took "May-term" courses. These were 3 week courses offered between the spring and summer sessions. I learned more in those courses than in any others that I took because I was focused on one topic and was able to devote all of my learning time and attention to it. This is what the main lesson attempts to achieve.
Another Waldorf element that Elizabeth and I have used is the art of storytelling as a teaching tool. Of course, when I say that this is a Waldorf element, I don't mean to imply that no one told stories before Waldorf schools came into existence. What I mean is that as far as modern curriculum available to home educators, we believe that the Waldorf-inspired providers offer the best expression of this timeless art. Storytelling is a beautiful teaching tool. In fact, St. John Chrysostom wrote, "An important part of a child�s education is story-telling, since good stories excite the imagination and strengthen the bond between parent and child." In a Waldorf-inspired curriculum the subject matter is taught by offering the child well-told stories. This even goes for teaching math and other subjects that would traditionally be presented without using literary language. In our first main lesson, Along the Alphabet Path, Elizabeth and I are together writing our own original stories with original artwork (you can download the art from the blog). We wanted a story to present the letters of the alphabet to our youngest children, but knew that we couldn't have a main lesson for our older children that only concentrated on the alphabet. It was serendipitous that both our families had recently come under the spell of Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies (If you like Beatrix Potter, you'll like her contemporary Cicely Mary Barker. Her work is just lovely.) In Along the Alphabet Path we've created a Botany main lesson block and are offering a new installment each week (usually posted on Wednesdays or Thursdays).
Of course it doesn't take long for Charlotte Mason's ideas to come into the equation any time either of us are planning our children's learning, so while Elizabeth and I are writing our original stories, we are also relying on beautiful living books. We've taken the format of Cicely Mary Barker's "Flower Fairy Alphabet Book" and another alphabet book, "Letters from Heaven: An Illuminated Alphabet," as our spine in designing Along the Alphabet Path. By using "Letters from Heaven" we were able to stamp our curriculum with our faith and each week we learn about a different saint whose name begins with the letter we are introducing to our little ones. This week we're tweaking the botany element for the older ones and working with Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany (a CM-friendly text). And we are also offering a reading list of beautiful picture books that have either a title or main character that matches the letter of the week. (And of course we added recipes for tea time too, because what's life without tea time! LOL!)
Given this framework, the most important Waldorf element that Elizabeth and I have incorporated is that of art, beauty and handcraft. Of anything Waldorf, this is what most attracted me to investigating the method. Of course, art, beauty and handcraft have also been around much longer than Waldorf, but again, in my opinion the current Waldorf educators present the best expression of infusing a curriculum with art. It's not a matter of doing more art projects. Art is not simply tacked on to the curriculum, but we are educating our children through art. Whereas living books are the approach to a Charlotte Mason curriculum, art is the approach to a Waldorf curriculum. Presenting the curriculum to a child through that which is beautiful makes a child more receptive to the beauty of the created world. And the quality of the art materials is as important as the art itself. Those who are not artistically inclined need not shy away from this because of their perceived inability. By simply using quality art supplies (modeling beeswax, tube watercolors, real wool felt, etc...) the senses are nourished. The end product is not the goal. The learning and benefit is the artistic process itself.
We've incorporated art in Along the Alphabet Path in many ways. Each lesson is introduced with original artwork (my daughter Emily has been busy creating these for us). A letter B is introduced as being the shape of St. Brendan's billowing sail. Our CM practice of narration is now always followed by an artistic narration...model a character in beeswax, watercolor a scene, etc... Even with handcrafts, we've used Crafty in Coffeeland's idea of the Wee Felt Saint and planned a saint craft for the week. But this craft is special because we are using 100% wool felt and quality materials. They are a joy to handle and work with. They truly nourish the senses. I can't begin to tell you how blessed I've been by just sitting with the children and creating with them. Yesterday we read another beautiful book by Elsa Beskow and were narrating it with beeswax modeling. Responding to the warmth of the hand, the beeswax slowly became softer and we were able to mold it. It was so relaxing. It reminded me of those "stress balls" that people squeeze to release stress. But this is better because when you are finished molding and squeezing you are left with an original creation and sweet-smelling hands.
I could go on, but this post is already too long. But I hope this post and our new blog, Serendipity, will help answer the question of how Waldorf can be used in a Christian home. Elizabeth and I have found so much beauty, but are sensitive to the fact that many parents don't feel safe using a curriculum that is not fully in keeping with their family's faith. For this reason we offer Serendipity. It's not pure anything, but the overflow of the joy filling our homes.
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In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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I have seen your new Serendipity blog and it is truly beautiful! Thank you,Katherine, and Elizabeth for sharing your wonderful ideas with all of us. I look forward to implementing many of them into my children's learning this year.
Thanks again and may God bless you!
Anne
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Patty LeVasseur
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Elizabeth and Katherine,
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this and then being kind enough to share the fruits of your labor with us. It looks beautiful.
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Patty
mom to four blessings
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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It really is beautiful! And timely for me. As we are wrapping up our Potter and Potter units,AND my grandsons (age 2 and 4) will be returning next week (permanently, I HOPE!)I need to settle on a way to incorporate them into our homeschool. This may be just the ticket!I will most likely not go quite as much into the fairies, but I love the botany and alphabet saints stuff, and the flower fairies are awfully cute!
Katherine, I know you are also using a lot of Montessori resources in your homeschool. Can you write a bit about how you integrate (or not) these activities into the scheme of things?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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missionfamily
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I had scrapped my alphabet books for a couple of weeks because I felt we were getting frenzied and on overkill trying to do much and not really putting effort into making any of it truly beautiful. Everyone was doing his own thing, with the 9 yo not participating at all, the 6 yo not following my instructions and making whatever he wanted with the craft supplies, and the 4 yo crying that he couldn't do it. I put it down to give myself some time to rethink it, and the Holy Spirit sent me Serendipidity. We started over the day after the first post, reading the story together, then each of us doing a page for our books...Gabriel is our fairy guy, he loves to draw the with pencil then color with beeswax crayons. Quinn draws or paints the saint in the story, and Brendan watercolors the letter and the flower. Mom serves a letter-themed tea party and plans other related activitis for the week. It is an absolutely blessed solution and we are loving it. I cannot thank you guys enough for sharing this with all of us. People who hear about what we're doing at home often tell me how great my ideas are, I'm honored to admit that I'm just a great copycat and then to share the URL with them
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Colleen
dh Greg
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trish
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 11:26am | IP Logged
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I love the new blog too. It's so wonderfully inspiring.
My littles just love the modelling beeswax. I think it's the highlight of their 'school' day. The idea of making Wee Felt Saints is genius.
I'm sooo glad that you've decided to share.  Thank you so much!
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~ Trish ~
Wife to Les
Mom to 8 Wonderful Kids
+AMDG+
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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I have been thoroughly enjoying Serendipity... it came along at a Serendipitous time, when my 3 yo. is ready to learn her letters, has been begging to do 'school' with her older brother... and it allows me to do this without detracting from my son's lessons
It is such a peaceful curriculum... I can't wait for more!
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JenniferS
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THANK YOU!!!!!!
Jen
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JuliaT
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Elizabeth and Katherine, I, too, am well acquanted with your new blog. It is delightful. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with the rest of us. It is truly a selfless act.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3(8,6,4)
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kjohnson
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 3:38pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
It really is beautiful! And timely for me. As we are wrapping up our Potter and Potter units,AND my grandsons (age 2 and 4) will be returning next week (permanently, I HOPE!)I need to settle on a way to incorporate them into our homeschool. This may be just the ticket!I will most likely not go quite as much into the fairies, but I love the botany and alphabet saints stuff, and the flower fairies are awfully cute!
Katherine, I know you are also using a lot of Montessori resources in your homeschool. Can you write a bit about how you integrate (or not) these activities into the scheme of things? |
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Thank you for all of your positive feedback. Elizabeth and I are both so thankful to know that others are benefiting from our ideas and plans. Thanks be to God.
Theresa, I understand why you wouldn't want to get too deep into fairies this year after you and Superboy worked on such an amazing Fairy unit last year. His artwork always amazes me. As far as your question about if and how I am incorporating the Montessori method into our days of learning, I guess I'd say that just as with Waldorf, I've pulled what speaks to me and the needs of my children from Montessori resources. I am way too heavily invested in Montessori materials. I made a big mistake in spending so much money on the resources, and regret buying much of what I have. But in an attempt to be a good steward of the things I have, I've tried to use the Montessori materials in a way that my children can benefit. I haven't been pleased with any of the Montessori Albums that I've bought. I think this is for 2 reasons. First, I have finally come to the realization that I don't like to follow someone else's curriculum. I know my children like no one else on this earth does, and when I listen to them and their interests and identify their ever-changing needs, I never can find what I'm looking for in a curriculum manual. (Of course, Theresa, I know I'm preaching to the choir on this one. LOL!) But second, I think that the Montessori Albums are generally written for an instructor in a classroom environment. It just doesn't translate well into the home...at least not in our home.
So taking all that works for us, we still have a Montessori component to our days (actually it's something that is part of our morning rhythm). My almost 4-year old, Sophia, is the one who is benefiting the most from Montessori. I have 4 albums on the sidebar of my blog that record every presentation that I've introduced to her. What I love about the Montessori approach for her is that it gives her something beneficial to do while I'm working with her older siblings. She's playing, but she's learning. Actually, it's been a matter of making sure that her play is her work and her work is her play. When I say that I regret the money spent on Montessori materials, I say that because it has now been my experience that the most beneficial Montessori-inspired learning that has taken place in my home is that which uses mostly ordinary household materials. Practical Life is definitely Sophia's favorite area. And as she matures, she will slowly make her way into the more art-based and literature approach I take with the older children and less and less, the Montessori.
As for my 7 and 9 year old, I pull some Montessori resources out for math. I self-design my math curriculum for my elementary-aged children and they have really enjoyed using the metal insets and geometric solids for math. They've created books using the insets and solids as prompts for drawing pictures and just today Katie (9) and I had a great time learning about different angles and triangles using our plane figures.
I think it may be important to note (for those who are trying to implement Serendipity in their homes) that what is posted on Serendipity represents, for the most part, what the Johnson and Foss families are doing in the afternoons. Elizabeth and I both have a Math and Language lesson block in the mornings and much of what we do during that time is not posted on our blog because those are the subjects that each child is progressing through at a different level and pace. The plans posted at Serendipity represent what we can do as a combined whole with the entire spectrum of ages. (Elizabeth posted a schedule on Real Learning to address this topic.)
So, long answer to a simple question, I'd say that the Montessori elements of our day are in the mornings and only for those children who benefit from them.
But as for my self-designed curriculum being Waldorf or Montessori or Charlotte Mason...it's all those things, and none of those things. Children are persons created in the image of God who has lovingly fashioned them with a personality and disposition that is truly their own. I certainly think educational philosophies can hit the mark on some aspects of child development, but in the end, none of them are true for all children and in all cases. For me it's all about relationships. My relationship with my children and what we can do together to strengthen it and, most importantly, each of our relationship to God. God-willing, we're all being transformed more and more into His image every day. And in the end what we chose to implement in our own homes must be aimed at that goal. I'm thankful for all of the inspiration from educational pioneers, philosophers and homeschooling peers. But in the end God gives me the grace to teach and respond to my children. Thanks be to God for the variety of beautiful tools, right?
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In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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Philothea
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I really like Serendipity. I see where you've been *inspired* by Waldorf and its materials, but what you have there is an entirely NEW thing, and it's great. And I am one of the Waldorf-leery ladies, so that's saying something.
It's funny because my 3yo son and I have been doing letter learning Serendipity-style for several weeks now without knowing about the new blog. Kind of a letter-of-the-week format using art, food, songs and nature walks to reinforce the lesson. Ian has responded really well to it, and he was fighting me before, so I think we've hit on something that works for him. I love the resources and ideas you all have made available and will certainly be incorporating some of them!
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ShawnaB
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Philothea wrote:
I really like Serendipity. I see where you've been *inspired* by Waldorf and its materials, but what you have there is an entirely NEW thing, and it's great. And I am one of the Waldorf-leery ladies, so that's saying something.
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I couldn't agree more! Elizabeth, I have been reading your Blog faithfully since late summer, as I have found that we are on many of the same paths with our curriculum this year. I was thrilled to find Serendipity! I've also really enjoyed the discussions here about incorporating elements of Waldforf into the curriculum. I have SO MANY of the same books on my shelf, including the WONDERFUL Elsa Beskow treasures! We've also been memorizing from "Around the Year".
We live in "Waldorf Country" in our little mountainous, New Agey village of Northern CA. There is a school here, and many non-Christian homeschool families here are full-on Waldorf. And several of our Charter School teachers are Waldorf trained. I've always loved the beauty and rhythm Waldorf affords, but it also seemed like a very all-or-nothing approach. Many who teach Waldorf do maintain that it is, but I have learned otherwise.
My older ds is, for the first time, enjoying expressing himself through Waldorf inspired art, particularly handcrafts and felting. (This is the child who last year declared that he hated art.)
We are also "only" doing Nature Study for science this year..which is such a relief to me, and allows for the inclusion of my 2 two-years olds. Waldorf crafts, literature, and attention to celebrating the seasons are natural compliments to what I have learned from Charlotte Mason. Thanks for sharing all the ideas. I would have loved to contribute more to the discussions along the way, but computer time is very limited during this season for me. But thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
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kjohnson wrote:
When I say that I regret the money spent on Montessori materials, I say that because it has now been my experience that the most beneficial Montessori-inspired learning that has taken place in my home is that which uses mostly ordinary household materials.
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Dear Katherine,
I read this article by Julia Fogassy several years ago and it reminds me alot of what you've written.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: Oct 17 2007 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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what we are learning from the Waldorf--
Waldorf ideas are helping me tremendously with my highly artistic, highly distractable 8 year old son. And they are helping me with ME. Just helping me to slow down, not try to hurry or do so much. So far it's working out really, really well.
In the same spirit I'm trying to incorporate the things I am learning about slowly, a little at a time. Right now we are focused on figuring out the "Main Lesson" time. We are doing a 2nd grade "animal stories" block. We are starting with the "Just So Stories" which is one of the books suggested in my Christopherus Waldorf Overview guide--I had wanted to read these this year anyway. It is SOOOOOO NICE to be able to relax and enjoy and soak in and just work with this ONE topic instead of trying to do 5 or 6 or even 7, as I was trying to do before!!!! The amount of writing suggested for these Main Lesson books is turning out to be just right for my son (just a few sentences a day copied from one of the stories we read, or a "distillation" of the story in my own words to match the picture for him to copy). I did buy a very nice set of Waldorf colored pencils from here waldorf pencils. They are beautiful. On the first day I received them I dropped them off the top of the fridge !!! (Where I had put them to keep them away from the toddler!) So far they all still seem intact and not all broken in the middles--amazing!!! The triangular grip really helps my son, who struggles with that sort of thing. The pencils, the Main Lesson blank books, some modeling wax (haven't opened it yet!) and a few "teacher resources" are all I've bought so far, but I'm itching to buy more of the art and craft things--maybe for christmas!! My kids have never been into crayons of any kind, not even our nice bright oil pastels (which DO blend nicely, BTW!), so we may skip the crayons. Wish I could buy it all at once, but I guess this keeps with my theme of incorating things slowly and not rushing!
After this I plan to do a math block, a short (maybe 2 weeks) painting block, and then just Advent/Christmas for awhile--I'm hoping the Serendipity blog will have some neat ideas there, as there have been such wonderful ideas on this discussion board for Advent in former years-- !
The Waldorf ideas about Rhythm are what I am working on most right now. I have this idea to do a neat "schedule poster" of our general daily routine, with watercolors as a background, using different gentle stripes of color for each thing, showing visually our rhythm of "rest and work"--once I truly get our rhythm down, maybe I will! Here are our categories so far. As I have been saying, it just feels so nice to DO LESS!!!!
Roughly 8-9: Breakfast & Bible (with Dad-the goal is breakfast on the table at 8, but it's up to him!)--boys clear dishes, feed pets, brush teeth and hair
Roughly 9-10: WALK to park or nature walk or occassionally, outside chore (like raking leaves or shoveling snow). M-TH this is usually with Dad, who is often gone until long after dinner. I'm trying to take a walk here myself (a real EXERSIZE walk up and down the steep hills around our house, which I cannot do with the toddler--I've gained 15 lbs. since coming home to America!! )
Around 10ish: Everyone comes back home. 8 year old has reading aloud or math practice, then SNACK--2 year old watches Elmo or a video
Roughly 10:30: Main Lesson
Violin Practice
Kids have a bit of time to play while I throw in laundry, make lunch and decide about dinner. Then LUNCH around 12:30 or 1
Boys play with toddler for 45 mins so Mom gets a rest (The toddler does not nap!)
Foreign Language (I have a wonderful play/activity program, so simple, called "Springboard to French"), possibly add handcrafts here, or an occasional educational game such as for math practice
Around 3:00: Boys go on paper route, sometimes to library, or have playtime, violin lesson or errands . . . (I do let them sign up to play computer at the library for 30 mins. twice a week. This is the highlight of their week, and our "compromise", the way we limit computer and keep the conflict out of the house. We live in a tiny and very safe town and they can walk to do this without me)
While the boys are doing their "afternoon stuff", I am normally home with the toddler and we have some special storytime, I work on projects or the computer or whatever works for that afternoon. If she's restless we might go on a little walk or visit any neighbors congregating outside.
DINNER
Family time (scouts or karate some nights)
BED
So there's the rhythm so far. It's pretty much based around my 8 year old who needs me to really work with him--from 9-12:30 the older one is pretty much doing his stuff independantly. Something I realize I want to work into our routine is better meal planning and some baking, incorporating the kids into cooking once a week or so. Again (reminder to self!!), one thing at a time!!
I am trying to think through what I really want, what our personal priorities are for our family--what is calming and in balance--how to cover both my true needs and the kids' true needs--what "fits" and what doesn't--and of course retaining flexibility because these things change by the year or even by the month!
The other thing I am really appreciating about Waldorf is the insight on child development. I regret the early academics with my older child. Our culture pushes kids to grow up SO fast--and there really is plenty of time, and a right season for everything. Donna Simmons' book emphasizes "the right thing at the right time." Waldorf high school is rigorous and intense, but the early years are no-pressure and imaginative, with LOTS of space given for the child to experience and ingest. It seems so much more balanced between "hands, heart and head" (at every age, though a different aspect is emphasized at each stage). We are NOT meant to be little "fact producing machines". It's been just the insight and help I needed, to help me move toward creating the PEACEFUL and joyful home atmosphere I have always wanted to have (before I ever heard about Waldorf!). I love also how paying attention to the seasons is making room for us to incorporate our faith in new ways. I have always wanted to incorporate the "church year", but just did not "get" how. The "nature table" idea is working well here for me, and also, just having more room in the schedule so it doesn't get crowded out!!
I'm just learning sooooo much here these days! It's been such a blessing for me!
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Oct 17 2007 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
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Angela, could you elaborate a bit more on what you are doing for your Animal Stories block? Do you just read the stories and have your ds do his writing and drawing a picture or do you do other things during this time. I am trying to figure out how to do a language arts block using the resources suggested in Christopherus Overview. But I am finding the rest of it a bit vague. If you could fill in the gaps, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Julia
mom of 3 (8,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Waldorf in the Christian Home-Serendipity (
Topic Closed)
