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 –...
Read more No commentsTag Archives: Waldorf homeschool supplies
Why Do We Put the Whole Before the Parts (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...
Read more No comments10 Tips on Teaching Different Ages Together
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...
Read more No commentsSummer Verse for G1 & G2 Members
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...
Read more No commentsHow Do I Move on from Kindergarten Stories with Props?
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...
Read more No commentsHow Can I Help My Kids Catch Up in the Summer?
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...
Read more No commentsMy Son Had Trouble Knitting in First Grade
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...
Read more No commentsCan I Teach the Solar System in First Grade?
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...
Read more No commentsBlock Crayons and Developmental Skills
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...
Read more No commentsA Waldorf National Day Celebration
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...
Read more No commentsTop Ten Earthschooling Opportunities
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....
Read more No commentsTop Ten Fun Ways to Prepare for Homeschooling Next Year
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...
Read more No commentsI’m Spending Too Much Time on English & Math
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...
Read more No commentsHow Do I Teach Subjects I Find Boring?
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...
Read more No commentsShould My Child Skip First Grade?
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...
Read more No commentsMy First Grader Has a Hard Time Retaining Letters
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...
Read more No commentsUsing Math with Creation Myth Stories in G3
Question from Member: How Can I Use Math in Creation Myth Stories? How can I bring in liquid or dry measurement (weights for grade 3 math) through those stories and be able to cover volume or dry measure or even housebuilding, that would be great. In your reply if you...
Read more No commentsShould I Instruct a KG Student During Block Crayon Lessons?
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...
Read more No commentsShould My Children of Different Ages Do Art at the Same Time?
Question from Member: Should My Children of Different Ages Do Art at the Same Time? I think homeschoolers have a challenging setup when we have multiple kids at differing abilities. My 4 yr old criticizes her work (she’s four!! And I’ve NEVER been negative about hers or any of my children’s work)...
Read more No commentsHow to Deal with ‘Artist Competition’
Question from Member: My Kids Get Frustrated Their Drawings Don’t Look Like Mine… While you are on drawing, my kids (especially my younger one) get frustrated that their drawings don’t look like mine (which aren’t that great, but as she’s only 4 obviously I’ve got a bit better control). Beyond...
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