Tag Archives: Homeschooling

The Decline of Play and Rise in Children’s Mental Disorders

Posted on February 8, 2016 by thebearthinstitute in Importance of Play, Waldorf in the News

This is part of our “Waldorf Education in the News” series. We use this series of posts to direct you to news relating to Waldorf educational principles highlighted in the news or supported by scientific studies. To see more articles like this click the “Waldorf in the News” link to...

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Storytelling Tips for Teachers & Parents

Posted on October 22, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Topics: Storytelling

Question: Are there examples of written story summaries anywhere? I am struggling with creating concise, accurate summaries for long stories. Currently I am writing what my daughter and I create together, but it goes on and on sometimes. TIA! Right now I am working on all the September lessons –...

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Why Do We Put the Whole Before the Parts (Math)?

Posted on October 14, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Lessons: Math

In Waldorf education there are variations on how the times tables are taught. However, one constant remains – that we always work from the whole to the parts. But what does that mean and why do we do that? In Waldorf classrooms different teachers recite the times tables with their...

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What Broadway Shows Can Teach You About Life

Posted on August 6, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Field Trips, High School, Middle Grades, Sofi

Preface: Our local Civic Center, The Des Moines Performing Arts Center, brings many shows to Des Moines every year. They not only bring amazing Broadway performances, professional dancers & touring shows to our local stage but they give homeschoolers and public school students wonderful chances to see performing art shows & interact...

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10 Tips on Teaching Different Ages Together

Posted on August 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Multiple Grades

1. Always have an older child teach a younger child something when possible. That way you have two children occupied and one less Main Lesson to teach 🙂 I remember my second grader used to help me with all my classes when she was little. She was like a mini...

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Summer Verse for G1 & G2 Members

Posted on July 24, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in 06 (June) Verses, 07 (July) Verses, 08 (August) Verses, G1 (First Grade), G2 (Second Grade)

How the corn has grown ripe in the Summer’s hot days, And the reaping began with the sun’s early rays, Mike and Jack since the morn, Have been cutting the corn, Which is bound up by Peggy and Sue; And sweet, flaunting poppies and flow’rets of blue Wag their heads o’er...

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How Do I Move on from Kindergarten Stories with Props?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G1 (First Grade), Member Teacher Support, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power, Topics: Storytelling

Question from John and Karen: Right now all my stories for my pre/K child are done with figures and props. When it comes to 1st grade are main lesson stories only told using chalkboard drawings or can puppetry type storytelling still be used? Reply from Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: To tell stories...

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How Can I Help My Kids Catch Up in the Summer?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Angil: Do you have suggestions for “summer school” to round out the missing lessons from 3rd grade – math, and reading (very slow reader and fluctuations in interest)? Reply from Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: “Summer school” I always encouraged the parents to allow their child to play outdoors as much...

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My Son Had Trouble Knitting in First Grade

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Lessons: Handwork, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Gina: My son had a hard time with knitting in first grade. He didnt want to stick with in for more than a few minutes at a time, complaining of his hands hurting or wanting to do somethimg else. Now we are moving on to second grade where...

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Can I Teach the Solar System in First Grade?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Lessons: Science, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Melissa: There has been recent discussion on several Waldorf pages pertaining to teaching younger children about the solar system or the night sky in general. It looks to me like the solar system is not taught until about 6th grade. Is there a specific reason for that? My girls...

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Block Crayons and Developmental Skills

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G01 (Kindergarten), G1 (First Grade), G2 (Second Grade), G3 (Third Grade), Lessons: Arts & Crafts, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power, Skills: Block Crayons

Question from Esther: I have a question about Stockmar vs Filana crayons. We have found that the Filana transfers to the paper much more easily, but you can still get different results applying different pressures. I would like to know if there is a reason why Stockmar for Waldorf other than...

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A Waldorf National Day Celebration

Posted on July 1, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Fourth of July, July

The ideas below can be used for any national celebration in any country. We used the Fourth of July in America as our example. In today’s world of amusement parks, sugar-filled treats, electric grills and commercialism where does one go for a, earthy, non-electric, Waldorf 4th of July or any Independence Day celebration for...

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Top Ten Earthschooling Opportunities

Posted on June 27, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Waldorf Earthschooling

1. Our interest-free payment plans are very popular. This week we extended those plans to cover additional items and added a discount as well. You can find special payment plans HERE. 2. Get free mini-lessons, verses, natural healing recipes and more by signing up for our e-mail BLOG delivery service....

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Top Ten Fun Ways to Prepare for Homeschooling Next Year

Posted on June 27, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Organization, Organization, Parenting, Planning, Planning, Summer, Teachers

Whew! We made it through another year! All that preparing, planning, teaching and purchasing of supplies and all those adventures have me worn out! Not to mention the challenges we overcame this year and all the new things we learned. I feel full, satisfied, amazed and slightly worn out and...

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I’m Spending Too Much Time on English & Math

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Lessons: Language, Lessons: Math, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Member: Spending Too Much Time on English & Math We seem to be doing English and Maths all the time. English is through stories, and Maths we have been doing fractions for ever so long. We are doing animal and humans and Norse myths, but I find we...

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How Do I Teach Subjects I Find Boring?

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in Member Teacher Support, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Member: Boring Subjects What can I do about subjects/activities I find dull, boring, or just lame? We all have things we like and dislike. – Angil Reply from Waldorf Teacher, Diane Power I totally agree! Be creative! Perhaps there is another way to bring the subject matter. If it’s...

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Should My Child Skip First Grade?

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G1 (First Grade), Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Member: Should My Child Skip First Grade? My 6 year old is currently in a mainstream kindergarten as she needed speech therapy that we could not afford to pay out of pocket. She loves going to school, has learned to read etc and most importantly, the speech impairment...

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My First Grader Has a Hard Time Retaining Letters

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G1 (First Grade), Lessons: Language, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Member: My First Grader Has a Hard Time Retaining Letters Our 7 year old son (Sept. Birthday) started grade 1 this year. I have been sharing stories and introducing the letters of the alphabet. He is starting to catch on, but he has a hard time retaining all...

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Using Math with Old Testament Stories in G3

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G3 (Third Grade), Lessons: Math, Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power

Question from Member: How Can I Use Math in Old Testament Stories? How can I bring in liquid or dry measurement (weights for grade 3 math) through old testament stories? I am falling behind in OT stories ( we haven’t done David, Saul, Solomon yet, so if you think there...

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Should I Instruct a KG Student During Block Crayon Lessons?

Posted on June 3, 2015 by thebearthinstitute in G01 (Kindergarten), Q & A With Waldorf Teacher Diane Power, Skills: Block Crayons

Question from Member: Should I Instruct a KG Student During Block Crayon Lessons? I was just watching the block coloring tutorial video and was hoping to get come clarification. My child is kindergarten and my understanding was at this age everything should be by imitation, giving the child little or no...

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