Inner Work Archives

What is Holistic Homeschooling – Earthschooling?

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Kristie in Curriculum, Inner Work, Inner Work, Planning, Planning

By Kristie Burns When I think of education, I always remember my favorite story about a wise men who travelled the country teaching people. One day it was announced that this wise man was going to visit a certain village so all the villagers gathered in the town hall to...

Surviving Limbo in the Time of COVID-19

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Kristie in Inner Work, Inner Work

Surviving Limbo This was written on March 22nd, 2020 and is written from my own experiences. Things have been changing daily so what I write today may not apply tomorrow. And what I write from my own experiences may resonate with some but not with others. If you find what...

Book Review: In the Dark

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Kristie in Inner Work, Inner Work, Naturopathic Healing

EMFs, Artificial Light, and Jason Bawden-Smith’s “In The Dark” By Catherine de Long at https://iamfortytwo.video.blog/ Electromagnetic pollution is an issue near and dear to my heart. Literally. My own approximately five month experience with a “smart” meter was a nightmare. I had terrible heart palpitations when I was standing next...

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Ask a Waldorf Teacher: Creating Reverence

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Kristie in Inner Work, Inner Work, Inner Work, Modeling, Modeling, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power, Waldorf Philosophy

Every Wednesday our members get to ask Waldorf teacher Diane Power questions about their homeschooling experience, Waldorf education and more. These Q & A sessions are posted on the member blog every week so you have access to all the past Q & A sessions. Become a member of Earthschooling to...

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Connecting with Children Through Literature

Posted on November 17, 2016 by thebearthinstitute in Field Trips, High School, Inner Work, Modeling, Parenting

Seeing Lois Lowry speak last night with my two daughters was an experience I will never forget. But it wasn’t simply because she is a famous author and writes award-winning books. The experience was special to me because Lois Lowry was my first introduction to modern teenage fiction and represents...

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A Sensory Meditation Room For Adults & Children

Posted on January 18, 2016 by thebearthinstitute in Fantasy Play, Inner Work, Inner Work, Modeling, Modeling, Monday Meditation, Parenting, Teachers, Uncategorized

Note: The computerized aspect of this experience is optional. You can use whatever tools you want to create your own sensory meditation room. Mine actually does not look like this anymore. I change it every month or so…and electronics are not always involved. I love experimenting and trying new things!...

Is There Something You Should Be Doing?

Posted on September 21, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Animals, Inner Work, Inner Work, Parenting, Teachers

Is there something you feel you “should” be doing? Why do you feel that way? Recently I was reminded of how important it is to ask that question. We have always left our backyard “natural” but made sure to cultivate and mow the front yard so the neighbors would not be...

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Steiner and Sleep

Posted on May 13, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Monday Meditation

This wonderful passage by Steiner is my Inner Work meditation for this week… I came across some wonderful inspirations as I was researching this week and I wanted to share one with you – this is about sleep. I am always struggling with getting enough sleep. As a mother, teacher,...

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Focusing on Home Life By Rahima Baldwin Dancy

Posted on May 6, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Guest Blogger, Inner Work, Inner Work, Modeling, Modeling, Monday Meditation, Organization, Organization, Parenting, Teachers, Waldorf Philosophy

You, as a parent, are your child’s first teacher, and your home is the where the most living and learning take place. This is true whether your child is home with you full-time or enrolled full- or part-time in child care, preschool, or kindergarten. It is also true regardless of...

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How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Posted on April 25, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Modeling, Modeling, Monday Meditation, Naturopathic Healing

The other night I was watching The Colbert Report and saw a very funny interview that Steven Colbert did with the head of the Sierra Club. For those who are not familiar with The Colbert Report it is a “fake news” show with the host pretending to be an extreme conservative...

First Grade Readiness – Are We Asking the Right Questions?

Posted on April 10, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in First Grade, Grade Placement, Inner Work, Inner Work, Organization, Organization, Parenting, Planning, Planning, Teachers, Waldorf 101, Waldorf Philosophy

Looking back on my children’s education I can honestly say that the question, “When are they ready for first grade?” was one of the hardest issues I had to deal with during their entire educational career. But why did I struggle so much with this question and why is it...

Why Study Eurythmy?

Posted on April 9, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Guest Blogger, Inner Work, Inner Work, Modeling, Modeling, Parenting, Teachers

The art of Eurythmy is taught in the Waldorf schools throughout the world. Children everywhere have an opportunity to learn through this medium. The possibilities in and through Eurythmy are countless and manifold; they are developed anew every day in various courses around the world, with teachers, with craftspeople and...

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The Yin and Yang of Teaching

Posted on April 1, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work

Our Inner Work meditation for this week is on the Yin and Yang of homeschooling. Take some time to reflect on this short meditation before you start your lessons today. Let your thoughts inspire you for the coming week! When a homeschooling parent plans out lessons, crafts and activities, leads...

Why Earthschooling?

Posted on March 25, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Monday Meditation, Waldorf Earthschooling

I found this wonderful quote the other day from Derrick Jensen. It describes one of the many reasons we chose Earthschooling for our children… “If your experience is that your water comes from the tap and that your food comes from the grocery store then you are going to defend...

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Discipline in the Waldorf Classroom

Posted on October 22, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Inner Work

As we were returning home from our travels yesterday we stopped at a rest stop to use the bathrooms. My youngest, who is quite particular about things, entered the restrooms, and immediately came out again exclaiming, “THAT is disgusting. I am not using those!” I was a little embarrassed because...

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How to Be the Best Parent or Teacher

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work

A scene from a TV show I saw once sticks in my mind. In this scene one man at the hospital apparently characterized as the “extreme melancholic” had a great body because he followed a very strict and disciplined routine. So another gentleman at the hospital (I don’t know his name so...

A Dozen Anti-Anxiety Tips for Parents and Teachers

Posted on August 17, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Organization, Organization, Parenting, Planning, Planning, Teachers

Are you anxious? Here is a simple test. When you look at the photo of the rocks by the seashore are you thinking about how beautiful and relaxing it looks or are you thinking about how those rocks are probably going to fall down any minute? After 20 years of parenting...

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Creating Warmth in Your Home

Posted on May 19, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Consultations, Holistic Health, Inner Work, Inner Work, Legal & Ethical Consultations, Modeling, Modeling, Monday Meditation, Organization, Organization, Parenting, Planning, Planning, Space Clearing, Teachers

A recent study has shown that people who have a warm beverage in their hands rate a stranger’s personality as warmer than those without the warm beverage and are more likely to be agreeable in negotiations. The same effect can be seen with touching soft things and being surrounded by...

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Meditation, Inner Work and the Temperaments

Posted on May 15, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Meditation, Teachers, The Temperaments

Meditation, Inner Work and the Temperaments One thing that Steiner saw as very important for Waldorf parents and educators was to maintain a constant awareness of ourselves through meditation and self-reflection. The beginning of his work, “The Foundation Meditation” expresses his thought the best when he says, Soul of man!...

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How Do You Know if You Are Qualified to Homeschool?

Posted on May 12, 2014 by thebearthinstitute in Inner Work, Inner Work, Inner Work, Monday Meditation, Nature Walks, Wildlife Education

Monday Meditation After 19 years of taking nature walks with my children, self and friends I felt like I was a bit of an expert. I had learned how to forage and find herbs and had even taken two years of tracking classes so I could see animal signs. We...

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Category Archives: Inner Work