Your Email Address required. Your Message. I have read the FAQ section before sending this message. Skip to content. Login right menu. The Live Ed! Learn More. Introduction to Live Education! Waldorf Homeschooling. Learn More About Us. At the same time, we retained the emphasis on experiential and artistic activities that are inherent in Waldorf education.
Another change was to begin teaching the alphabet and numbers in kindergarten rather than waiting until first grade.
This decision was based on the recognition that children already were learning on their own from television, billboards, and street signs, and they were asking their parents to teach them how to read. Families wanted a curriculum that would enable them to bring to their children a deeper understanding of the letters and numbers without pushing them into first grade too early.
We developed the kindergarten curriculum to give children an age-appropriate context for learning the alphabet and numbers. The Waldorf curriculum emphasizes the value of fairy tales, myths, fables, and legends in teaching children moral principles.
In this context, the Christian saints, such as St. Francis and St. Christopher, were studied in the second grade, and the stories of the Old Testament of the Bible were presented in the third grade. The intention in each of these cases is not to indoctrinate children in Christian teachings, but to provide inspiration and moral guidance through the medium of storytelling. We followed this sequence in the first Oak Meadow curriculum, but we soon realized that homeschooling parents had very different ideas about the role of curriculum in their lives.
Some parents were open to reading to their children stories about saints or stories from the Old Testament, but most parents felt we were trying to force specific religious teachings upon them, and they resented this intrusion into their lives. After considering this position for a few years, we decided that it was not our role to provide children with moral teachings that were identified with a specific religion, and we eliminated from the Oak Meadow curriculum stories that had specific Christian references.
Another significant change that was made was to eliminate the traditional tales from the Brothers Grimm, which play a prominent role in traditional Waldorf education. In Waldorf schools, these traditional stories are used to introduce the letters of the alphabet because they not only contain many vivid images that help children remember the alphabet, but they also impart profound archetypal and moral teachings that speak directly to the soul of the child of that age.
These elements of the stories were presumably originally intended to scare children and keep them from misbehaving, but, because they also contain deep universal symbolism, they have been passed down from generation to generation. We wanted to continue to offer stories that embodied clear images of the struggle between good and evil, and portrayed the ultimate triumph of good—concepts that young children find very meaningful.
So, as an alternative, we created a collection of stories adapted from Grimm and other traditional sources. Norse Myths for Grade Four June 09, Alphabet Letters, Waldorf Style May 17, Learning vs.
Instill A Love of Learning October 19, Felting Together. Recipes for Candlemas January 29, Festival of Candlemas January 28, Honor Thy Father January 26, Creation Stories February 24, The Telling of the Tale February 19, Connecting Young and Old June 15, Discipline In Light of Defiance June 14, Raising Kids Raw. Rhythm Of The Day. Life is Maintenance. Homeschoolers Wishing For School June 20, Plant Your Seeds Wisely February 14, Thoughts On Ego June 14, The Nine Intense Experiences September 23, Festival of Candlemas.
I highly regard her work, and I think that it should be given consideration by anyone considering homeschooling their children in the Waldorf method. Additionally, I find her program to be much more reasonably priced than some of the other Waldorf homeschool curricula created by trained Waldorf teachers. There are very many parents who want a Waldorf education for their children, yet do not have the financial resources to afford the education.
Yet some of the homeschool curriculums are prohibitively expensive, especially for parents of multiple children, teaching multiple grades simultaneously.
Melisa takes this into consideration and has priced her curricula accordingly. I really do recommend the program! Montessori also offers a very good way for this and youtube offers thousands videos about it.. The regiment of workbooks and stuff make it hard to enjoy life and each other in the process.
Now I know Waldorf is more laid back and I love that. But I have to say I have zero imagination bone in my body and it seems you sorta need that for waldorf. In viewing all the resources I was intrigued by OakMeadow because it seemed everything was laid out and explained. Yet with it not being true waldorf between the 2 other choices you put which do you suggest would be a better fit for me?
Also is math and grammar included??? If you want everything laid out for you, you might really enjoy Oak Meadow. I know a lot of homeschoolers who do. As a homeschooler, you have the luxury to pick and choose from the wide variety of curricula that exists, and find what works for you and your family. Math and grammar are included in all the resources I recommended. I happened to like Singapore Math, which is not Waldorf, but worked for my kids.
Even though the books had cartoon-y illustrations, I found that the way math was introduced and presented, was very much in keeping with Waldorf philosophy. Eugene Schwartz was the director of teacher training while I was at Sunbridge College, and is a leading authority on Waldorf education. He has turned his efforts in recent years to creating materials for homeschoolers.
I have homeschooled with Christopherus for two years now. I got a bit confused and felt lost last year when we started 6th grade. We did fine with History and Geometry, but I wished there was a bit more parent guidance from Christopherus where physics and arithmetic is concerned. I spend so much money finding other resources! Has anyone any input? I currently homeschool 3 out of my 5 kids.
Does anyone else have experience with Live Ed? I know Sarah, you loved Christopherus. I have also looked into Oak Meadow, but right now that is at the bottom of my list. I would appreciate any input, though I know I will have to go what my heart tells me. Thank you! Hello Iria, I just came across your post from last year, and I am wondering how things worked out with you? I am in a similar boat — homeschool 4 of my 5 kids, used Christopherus for 2 years and thought it was great as a spine, but felt like there was not nearly enough guidance for me.
I spent TONS of time and money building my ideal curriculum and embellishing from other resources. I recently checked into Waldorf Essentials but hesitate because I want solid academics, and my oldest is 13 so would need something more. Just curious how you made out! If so how would you do that which subjects would you incorporate it to, etc… Also how did you do the switch from normal everyday common life to a more Waldorf style and how did you help your kids transition?
I cant sew, bake, garden etc.. We have never been camping or to a lake etc… My kid doesnt really like the outdoors and prefers to play with her many toys or electronics.
The tv is always on in our house, etc.. I know our life is very much chaotic and even though my kid is 6 I do hope it isnt too late to change our life so she can benefit for a more easier, simpler, more present life. So can you do a post or give me a list of books that might enlighten me since Waldorf is all so very much overwhelming or maybe just explain how it all started with you and how you began your changes.
Thanks in advance. These resources were the beginning of our journey and i can highly recommend them. Any advice on how to homeschool different ages? If there are two in grade 1 and one is still a preschooler how do you meet both needs?
Since two are in the same grade, it should be fairly easy. No need to prepare two different lesson plans. He or she is learning all the time by taking in the world and being present in the household day-to-day activities, including homeschooling the older children. Thank you Sarah! I guess I was worried about the younger child learning too early because he will be with us. Or is this a silly worry? He will take in now what he will at his level of understanding.
If you revisit the same topic later when he is first-grade ready, he will see the material in a whole new way with his first-grade eyes. Hi Sarah! I am looking at starting to homeschool using the Oak Meadow K-curriculum. Since this is our first foray into homeschooling, I feel like the done for you structure will be beneficial to our success. I noticed you mention that you also used Singapore Math, and I am thinking of doing the same. Is this something that a kindergartener will actually enjoy?
My child is curious and intelligent but also stubborn if she feels things are being forced upon her! I also was wondering if you had any recommendations for supplemental science. Are you familiar with this program?
Thanks for creating such an excellent resource and for responding to replies on an older posting! I loved Singapore Math, and my kids did, too, but as a Waldorf teacher, I would not introduce formal math learning to a kindergarten-age child.
She will learn all the math she needs in real life. Count the number of place settings when setting the table. Count the number of apples you pick from the tree, or berries from the bushes. How many are left when you eat two? Practicing counting while moving is a way to help a child memorize and aid learning. Try counting games while jumping rope, or while clapping during circle time. This is real life learning that serves a purpose, and is not just abstract numbers that have no meaning for a young child.
By incorporating counting and math lessons in real life, your daughter will be well-prepared for beginning math lessons when she is first-grade-ready. Pushing workbooks on children whose brains are not yet ready for this type of learning typically around the age of seven can cause a child needless stress and anxiety and turn them off to learning, or lead to a life-long belief that she is not good at math.
What she has to say is of great value when it come to Waldorf education, and the best part the information is free! She has loads of files on her group that include layouts for each grade at a Waldorf school made for the home environment, including when to teach what and how. Her website is an invaluable resource! Thank you, Maggie, for sharing. Hi Sarah- I have always been drawn to Singapore Math, and your preference for it makes it even more appealing!
Since I am new to a structured homeschool schedule this will be 1st grade for my son does it make sense to follow the Christopherus Curriculum, and add in Singapore Math? Or would I just not use the math out of Christopherus and only do Singapore? Thank you in advance! Hi Holly. I would suggest trying both and seeing which one feels like a better fit. You might prefer one over the other, or find a way to incorporate both.
Trust your instinct and do what works for you and your child. Hi Sarah, Would you have any information or advise on homeschool curriculum from Earthschooling by the BEarth Institute? I am trying to make a final decision for my first year and would love your input.
With Kindness, Christie. Dear Sarah, I am so thankful I found your site and listened to your recommendations.
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