Our New Favorite Art Supplies Posted in: Art Supplies, Arts, Crafts & Handwork, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade - Sofi and I invested in some new colored pencils a couple weeks ago and decided to give pastel pencils a try. They took some time for Sofi to get used to, and the process is on-going but the results are… Read More >>Little Owl Boy Story for October Posted in: Animals, Autumn, Halloween, Myths, Native American - We love this October story! It is "spooky" but in a unique way and has a lesson to share as well. It also gives insight into Native American culture. LONG ago, out on the wide prairie, there was an Indian… Read More >>
Visit to a Hindu Temple in Iowa Posted in: Cultural, Field Trips, Fifth Grade, Hindu, India, Lesson Blocks - Sofi and I are studying the Fifth Grade Ancient Cultures block. In the first part of the block we talked about Ancient India. Since this block included information on Hinduism and Buddhism we decided to visit a temple last week.… Read More >>Mineralogy Block Posted in: Lesson Blocks, Science, Sixth Grade - Today we started our mineralogy block. We didn't plan it that way but sometimes life brings opportunities you don't want to miss out on! My dad called to say that he would be in town doing a rock show (he… Read More >>
Adapting Lessons to a Child’s Learning Style & Stages Posted in: Buddhism, Fifth Grade, India, Scuplture - If you use lesson plans from Earthschooling or another program or even if you use recipes, lessons or instructions from online blogs or websites you will usually receive specific instructions on how to do an activity. However, I often find… Read More >>Instant Homeschooling Lessons Posted in: Lesson Blocks, Teachers, Waldorf Earthschooling - If you are homeschooling you know that some days are better than others. Because of this every teacher has a bunch of "fall back lessons" or methods they use on those days when they can't be there 100% or when… Read More >>
Conflict Resolution Basics for Health and Happiness Posted in: Parenting, Teachers - I've seen so many clients and friends come to me with complaints about pain, stress and general health who discovered, in the end, that the source was a bad relationship. I've also seen a lot of sibling rivalry, bullying, aggressive… Read More >>
Modeling in Waldorf Education Posted in: Modeling, Modeling, Waldorf Philosophy - Modeling is one of the most important concepts in early Waldorf childhood education. Many books are written on the topic and entire Waldorf parent-child and Early Childhood programs are based on the concept. However, one must not lose sight of… Read More >>
A “Tree” House Posted in: Housebuilding, Third Grade, Woodworking - This fantastic little igloo-style tree-house was created by two wonderful shopkeepers at the Des Moines Renassaince Faire. When I spoke to the owner of the shop she said that they had planted the trees last year (the Faire has a… Read More >>
The Beauty of Creating in Waldorf Education Posted in: Arts, Crafts & Handwork, Teachers, Waldorf Earthschooling, Waldorf Philosophy - When I was in grade school I read a story about a boy who created a computer to do his math homework. He was caught in the act of “cheating” but was not punished because the math teacher and principal… Read More >>
Sixth Grade Math is My Favorite! Posted in: Form Drawing, Lesson Blocks, Math, Sixth Grade - Sofi and I have been enjoying sixth grade math so much! We started the year by having Sofi plan her own business, and have also been slowly working through the six divisions of the circle - each one more amazing… Read More >>Circle Time for Middle Grades and High School? Posted in: High School, Middle Grades, Waldorf Earthschooling - I have to admit that as the children grow older I miss the little finger rhymes and verses from our old circle time days, I miss the sweet puppet shows, the dress up box and playing daily with our Ostheimer… Read More >>
Earthschooling on Amtrack Posted in: Carschooling, Waldorf Earthschooling - Sofi and I are on the train from Osceola, IA to Sacramento, CA to speak at the Waldorf in the Home Conference. We are both discovering there is a lot to learn on a train! * Many of the stations… Read More >>
Essential Oils on a Budget Posted in: Aromatherapy, Student Lounge - Dear Students, As you know I like to post excerpts from student exams/assignments that I feel would be helpful or informative to other students. Here are some from the exams/assignments I looked at this week so far... * One student… Read More >>
Woodworking Project – A Pet Run Posted in: Animals, Arts, Crafts & Handwork, Woodworking - 1. Purchase supplies or scavenge for supplies: 16 wood strips - all the same height and width (ours were 3') Screening for screen doors (amount depends on your project - we needed two rolls of 3' high screening) Hinges -… Read More >>Raising Chickens as Education (Even in the City) Posted in: Animals, Farming, Guest Blogger, Sofi - Hi! I am sharing this report with you that I did about my new chicken. The only problem is that she does not have a name. My brother and sister have names for their chickens but I can't think of… Read More >>
The Magic Horse – A Spring Equinox Story Posted in: March, Persian, Spring, Stories, Storytelling - In Persia (now Iran) the New Year was celebrated and is still celebrated at the beginning of spring. At that time a grand feast was observed throughout the land, and at the royal palace, artists, natives and strangers were invited… Read More >>
Diversity in Waldorf Education Posted in: Articles ABOUT Us, Earthschooling in the News, The BEarth Institute in the News - Diversity in Waldorf Education: CultureALL is a Des Moines organization that encourages cultural diversity and understanding in classrooms around Iowa. Kristie Burns' class, The Middle East Marketplace (part of the Fifth Grade Ancient Cultures Block), was featured in the Des… Read More >>
The Rhythm of Learning Posted in: Organization, Organization, Parenting, Planning, Planning, Rhythm, Teachers, Waldorf Philosophy - "Life in its entirety is like a plant. The plant contains not only what it offers to external life; it also holds a future state within its hidden depths. One who has before him a plant only just in leaf,… Read More >>
A Waldorf Main Lesson Book: Where are the Worksheets and Exams? Posted in: Eighth Grade, Fifth Grade, Lesson Blocks, Math, Middle Grades, Ninth Grade, Organization, Planning, Seventh Grade, Sixth Grade, Teachers, Third Grade, Uncategorized, Waldorf 101, Waldorf Earthschooling, Waldorf Philosophy - Imagine a world with no quizzes, textbooks, or worksheets. That sounds like a dream school for most children! This is what it is like in a Waldorf school. In fact, Waldorf education engages students in the learning process to the… Read More >>
Waldorf Handwork: Easy Knit Slippers Posted in: Gifts, Knitting - Just found a bunch of un-matched slippers from the "old days" and it inspired me to start knitting some of these again. My kids LOVED these and so did all the friends and family I knitted them for - even… Read More >>A Story of Thankfulness Posted in: Parenting, Thanksgiving - If your family has a story to share about how you share your thankfulness for the earth please share - I would love to be inspired by you all - I know so many of you and you already inspire… Read More >>
Easy Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Pie Posted in: Autumn, Cooking, Thanksgiving - Every year somebody asks me to publish this recipe again. Ever since I discovered it my kids don't even like the "regular" pumkin pie anymore! This is SOOOOO easy and tastes like a pumpkin pie with a thin crust -… Read More >>
Education Through Volunteering Posted in: Waldorf Earthschooling - We have been discovering the joys of volunteering this autumn! Mosi, my 14-year-old (will be 15 in one month!) has been learning about a number of volunteer opportunities from a volunteer club in our community. This club puts out announcements… Read More >>
Living My Life in Costume Posted in: Fairies, Fantasy Play, Sofi - I have not posted a lot lately because I've been so busy. I auditioned for the Nutcracker, the Ballet Dracula and I am a fairy at the Renassaince Festival again this year (my third year). The Renassaince Festival started last… Read More >>
Fashion Design with Big Brother Posted in: Sewing, Sofi - My mom went to run some errands with Mosi (she is my big sister, age 14) yesterday and Sunii and I got bored so I started cutting up some of my old clothes and making new fashions out of them.… Read More >>
Costume Making with Sofi Posted in: Sewing, Sofi - I'm making some of my costume for the Rennassaince Faire this Autumn. I work as a fairy all day at the Faire - we are actors in the fairy battle with the pirates and we do many jobs around the… Read More >>
Free Waldorf Inspired Play-stands! Posted in: Fantasy Play, Toys, Woodworking - When I attended the Waldorf parent-child class with my eldest daughter (now almost 14! WOW) I immediately fell in love with the playstands. I wanted one so badly! I was so envious of my friend who had a husband who… Read More >>
Mulberry Ink with Sofi Posted in: Arts, Crafts & Handwork, Natural Dying, Nature Walks, Sofi - After our walk today I asked my mom if she had any ink. I bought a really cool feather pen at the farmer's market yesterday and wanted to use it. She said that we could make some from the mulberries.… Read More >>
What on Earth is Earthschooling? Posted in: Articles ABOUT Us, Earthschooling in the News - What on Earth is Earthschooling? An Interview with Kristie Burns by Tracy Stevens of "A Better Education" BLOG Kristie Burns is an earthschooling mother of three children, ages 10, 12 and 14. Kristie works from home as a healer, artist and… Read More >>
