Homeschooling w/Waldorf Philosophy

[MRizzuto]

Would love to hear from anyone who might be homeschooling using a Waldorf approach. I am just beginning the journey and would like to share thoughts, ideas, experiences.

Best,

Margaret
mrizzuto@pobox.com

[Forest Sage]

This is exactly what I'm planning on for my son. I am going to discuss this with Waldorf teachers and parents on the weekend. As I've said before on this board the junior kindergarten and kindergarten at our Waldorf does not have a scholarship program so I've been exploring the homeschooling option. I would rather do this than send him to a public school. Part of the Waldorf philosophy is the manner in which the curriculum is taught, so this may be a determining factor in whether or not homeschool packages are available. But I need to do more research, so I will share my findings with you.
Peace,
Amie

[Sierra]

We're planning on homeschooling with a mix of philosophies, including waldorf. I too would love to hear ideas. Right now we're really into waldorf toys, etc. That's our big project lately.

Sierra

[BathrobeGoddess]

There is a waldorf inspired homeschool company called Oak Meadow...I think they advertise in Mothering. They have a web page. I'm sorry I don't know the address.

BUT...as a general rule, the waldorf movement is (sort of) anti-homeschool. Since social interaction is such an important part of a waldorf classroom, many waldorf people find homeschool to be anti-waldorf in nature. However, I have heard of schools that do outreach progams for homeschool kids so maybe you will luck out.

[MRizzuto]

It's great to see such interest in Waldorf and home schooling. Yes, Oak Meadow is a Waldorf inspired home schooling program, the site address is: www.oakmeadow.com. I did purchase the pre-school curriculm and have really enjoyed it. It's very child focused and heart centered. Another is Live Education at: http://www.live-education.com.

A really great resource is Waldorf Resources, Inc. It's a not-for-profit group geared specifically toward home schoolers using Waldorf. The Discussion List is a wealth of information, I have and continue to learn so much from it. The site address is: http://www.waldorfresources.org/.

Is anyone in the New England area?

If I can help with anything, please let me know.

Best,
Margaret

[Sierra]

Originally posted by BathrobeGoddess
Since social interaction is such an important part of a waldorf classroom, many waldorf people find homeschool to be anti-waldorf in nature.

The good news, I guess, is that homeschooling doesn't have to be limiting to social interaction. I think it's about approach. One thing that I think is very limiting about many schools in terms of social interaction is that they divide kids by age groups. I find more diverse social interaction is more meaningful. I have to read up about how waldorf might deal with that dilemma.

[BathrobeGoddess]

Sierra-

I completely agree with you! I in no way agree with what I said about homeschoolers...I just wanted to put Forest Sage on her guard since she stated she was going to talk to her ds teacher about homeschooling. I do think waldorf works well in a homeschool situation. I tried very hard to get some enrichment classes (handwork, German, Spanish, flute) underway for the HUGE homeschool population in FtC. I was fought tooth and nail by the administration and faculty. They have since changed their tune for money reasons. They need the income.

Waldorf has a real anti-combined grade feeling because each grade class has a very strict curiculum. Not that it cannot be done. There is a school in Vermont that does nothing but combined grades and does very, very well. Of course, they have taken a lot of negative flack from the waldorf movement but now that they are doing so well, many schools and teachers are beginning to see how wonderful this can be.

[Teresa]

http://wehomeschool.org/

A sister-site to Waldorf Resources, one of the most informative sites out there:
Resource listings, articles of interest ("Reading Room"), vendor reviews, book & product reviews, discussion boards, and yes. . . even curriculum reviews by and for home educators!

[heartlight]

One more site to add: www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com. And I think Barbara Dewey puts out some well-liked Waldorf homeschool curricula material as well.

Enjoy!

[angivca]

Hi Forest Sage,
I'm from Ontario and had the great pleasure of attending the first Chiron Conference - a conference for Waldorf inspired homeschoolers. It was held at the Toronto Waldorf School and there were incredible lectures and workshops from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. To the best of my knowledge, there was an internet study group set up to examine the Waldorf philosophy as it relates to homeschooling. The 2nd Chiron Conference will be held sometime in May. For myself, I try to take the best of all of the educational philosophies available (Holt, Mason, Steiner, Montessori, MIT etc.) and see what best suits my child - I have four and each of them learn in different ways. If you would like more info on this conference let me know. I think that I've got the website around here somewhere?!
Peace & Love
Angela

[doreen]

Hi Angela, nice to hear from someone else who attended and enjoyed the Chiron conference! This year's conference will be held on June 1-2 at the same location. The website is http://www.rudolfsteinercentre.ca/chiron

I have also posted the conference dates and link to the website as a new thread.

[reverendmother]

We have been homeschooling since pulling out of the not so local Waldorf school. When we explained to the teacher we were leaving she was releived that we had decided to homeschool, rather than putting our dd in another school.

We began our homeschool journey in 4th grade. I was armed with a BA in eduaction, Oak Meadow and a copy of two 3 inch size notebooks used at our Waldorf school for the grade four teacher (compliments of our dd's teacher) and a host of other great reads. We did okay. But I have a younger dd and that gradually becameharder and harder.

For fifth grade we began to play around with the materials. We used some LIVE material that a freind bought took one look at and rejected combined with Oak Meadow. I don't like Oak Meadow.

Now in 6th grade we utilize many of the Waldorf priciples but have combined them with Charlotte Mason -- a contemporay of Steiner. We use main lesson books, lots of art, form drawing etc.but have added classical music and art appreciation. I hate to admit it, but we also chucked the history study time line.

I maintain the basic principles. But the reality was I could not recreate a Waldorf classroom. And LIVE is far too expensive as a base curriculum price. However we really liked it.

[KatherineinCA]

Rev mother,

Can you elaborate about Oak Meadow and Live Education? I am trying to decide what to use for homeschool next year and would love to hear more specifics about both programs, especially what you didn't like about Oak Meadow.

Thanks!

Katherine

[MRizzuto]

If you check the archives at http://www.waldorfresources.org/ you'll find a lot of reviews for each of these.

Best,
Margaret

[mamaMAMAma]

I'm also thinking about homeschooling using waldorf philosophy. DD(20months) and I go to a parenting class at the local waldorf school and we love it. There is a waldorf homeschool conference in Sacramento every year. The theme for this year is “Waldorf in the Home.” The dates are Sept 21-22, 2002 at the Sacramento Waldorf School. The organizer is Rahima Baldwin(author of You're your child's first teacher). We went to her Early Childhood Conference earlier this year and it was great.

[KatherineinCA]

Thanks so much for the news about the conference in Sacramento. I'm in El Dorado Hills, so I will plan on going! It sounds like just what I'll need. This will be my first year homeschooling with a Waldorf approach. I was using the classical model (Well Trained Mind), and after 1 1/2 years I have realized that it just isn't working for my kids. I am very excited about this new direction!

[Jolynn]

I'm sorry, but did I miss the info re: the Sac conference in this thread? Can you post it again? thanks