Has anyone else made the switch from waldorf to Charlotte Mason? My son is in third grade and we only know waldorf. He was in a waldorf school from K-2 and then we took over with waldorf homeschooling. I am very well versed in Steiner and unlike a lot of folks I actually agree with most of the anthro/pedagogical stuff. The problem is that as much as waldorf is dear to me I don't think I am able to properly bring the education. Sure, I'm decent at watercolor painting, knitting, coloring with block crayons, etc. but bringing the academics is tough. I've tried several different curriculums now and we've enjoyed many hands on projects for learning but honestly, I'm not real good at them and it has started to fill me with dread to have my creative hat on all the time. In the end I feel like things like grammar, math, and history just gets reduced to me in front of a blackboard explaining something when there isn't a hands on project.
I am drawn to the idea that Charlotte Mason seems a bit more structured with academics and user friendly. The only thing that puts me off is that there doesn't seem to be a developmentally appropriate curriculum. I really like how waldorf puts a child where he or she is in terms of age. So I'm still unsure.
I would love to hear perspective from someone who has experience with waldorf and CM. Also, what about cost? I was floored when I saw how much just a math program CM recommends would be for around $200. That is how much I have paid for my entire year of curriculum...so maybe CM is too expensive for us anyway.
Any opinions or advice on where to begin with doing something like this would be appreciated.
Follow Mothering