Oak Meadow, EarthSchooling, and Little Acorn...Oh my!

[thelocknestmother]

Looking to homeschool this fall...preschool and want to do Waldorf-ish...I think I need a pretty planned out curriculum...but already overwhelmed and I feel like the more I look the more curriculums I find...HELP! Anywhere a good breakdown of ALL Waldorf and Waldorf-inspired preschool curriculums??  Thanks!

[amygrimis]

Right with you!!!  I looked into Oak Meadow quite a bit last night and absolutely loved how much of a sample curriculum they shared.  It seems like a good mix of prepared lessons and freedom to present the lesson in my own way.  I'm hopeful that there are a lot of responses here for your question!

[LuxPerpetua]

We're using Little Acorn Learning along with other things for dd's kindy year this fall.  After seeing the samples and talking to a LOT of other people, I think it really is what I'm looking for.  I considered Oak Meadow but it got a lot of mixed reviews.  I figured I really wanted a good start and I knew LAL would give me that so since it was in our budget I went that way.  If it hadn't been, I think I would have looked at Earthschooling.  I am planning on looking deeper into Earthschooling for grade 1.  Christopherus will be coming out with a new kindy book this May, but after reading about it on Carrie's Parenting Passageway site it seems like just an extended version of a intro to Waldorf early years book, not a more detailed outline of songs, poems, crafts, stories, etc.  I have A Little Garden Flower's kindy book and didn't find it helpful.  Like the original Christopherus kindy book, it was more of an introduction.  Seasons of Joy is another one that is good but can be a little overwhelming and it is broken down by season and not by weeks, unlike LAL.

Good luck.  It really is overwhelming!

[onyxravnos]

well the three you names, LA, OM, & earth schooling plus there is

A Little Garden Flower: waldorfjourney.typepad.com

Christopherus : christopherushomeschool.org

Global village school :  globalvillageschool.org

[chrissy]

I really really like Little Acorn Learning.

[LuxPerpetua]

Oops!  I forgot to add the Wynestones seasonal books, Spendrift (sp?), and Gateways, which all have songs/poetry

[Mittsy]

For Pre-K, and K defintely go with LA! We've tried OM and didn't like it, too much too soon for us. Never tried Earth Schooling. Going to start Christopherus this year for dd's 1st Grade, I haven't looked into their K book as we've been so happy with LA.

[umsami]

My one criticism of Little Acorn was that the guides I received were definitely geared towards a 4-season climate. Living in Florida at the time, I found there was a lot that didn't really apply/make-sense--although that is common with a lot of things that are seasonally focused when one lives in Florida. One great thing about LAL is that one only needs to commit to one month.

I really love the Christopherus Kindy guide--although it is definitely geared to be inspirational, rather than a week 1 do xyz type thing. Still lots of good.

Oak Meadow is not strictly Waldorf in that they introduce the letters in Kindy--but honestly, most kids I know do know them regardless. Whether this is an issue for you or not, you'd have to judge.

The good thing is resale is quite easy on all Waldorf stuff. If you're thinking about Oak Meadow, definitely buy during the spring sale--which could have started already but if it hasn't, will be soon. I seem to remember Donna (Christopherus) having an article where she compared the various Waldorf-inspired programs. Then, of course, there's Enki as well.