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 permanant spot here in DM) and when they came back this year it was like […]
Public Blog
The Beauty of Creating in Waldorf Education
Sixth Grade Math is My Favorite!
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 than the last! The designs look so simple but are so complex to create and […]
Circle Time for Middle Grades and High School?
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 figures. However, lately I’ve started to realize that we never did really give those things […]
Earthschooling on Amtrack
Essential Oils on a Budget
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 says “I needed Myrrh and Helicrysum but since they were expensive I purchased them in […]
Woodworking Project – A Pet Run
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 – 6 Screws for hinges (even if they come with screws – you will see why […]
Raising Chickens as Education (Even in the City)
The Magic Horse – A Spring Equinox Story
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 to present their finest skills or treasures to the king. If the king was pleased, […]
Diversity in Waldorf Education
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 Moines Register this week. See the article and pictures below… The “Middle East Marketplace” is […]
The Rhythm of Learning
A Waldorf Main Lesson Book: Where are the Worksheets and Exams?
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 extent that worksheets or exams would actually interfere with it. But we first need to […]
Earthschooling – an Award Winning Curriculum
