Our Waldorf Homeschool Journey

Hi Everyone

Today was Juliettes’ last animal in her animal studies block. We start Norse Mythology tomorrow. To make this transition smooth, even though it is a completely different subject, we studied the Mountain Lion of North America yesterday and today…

Well we crossed the ocean! We looked at a world map, tracking our journey, from North America across to Norway. In doing this we chatted about the Northern Lights, and I found some stunning videos on Youtube which I showed Juliette (after school). Pictures people have taken and actual video footage of the Northern lights.

Once this was done, I then introduced her to the Norwegian Forest cat, which was around in the time of the Norsemen, in fact it is believed that Freyas’ Chariot was pulled by these specific grey cats. They were used on the ships of the Norsemen to keep rats at bay. They were also believed to be a part of the household even 3500 years ago. And they are, still today, found wild in the forests of the Nordic countries. If you go to Norway or Denmark you’ll hear people talking about the Faerie Cats. Well those are the Norwegian Forest Cats. And here is Juliettes’ main lesson book, with the Mountain Lion and the Norwegain Forest Cat sharing a page…

I may have cheated a little, you see we have 2 Norwegian Forest cats, one is mine, Ruby-Rose is her name, and one is Juliettes’, Iceland Poppy is her name. It just seemed such an awesome opportunity to join two lesson blocks, and truly have an understanding of an animal, that though she is a part of our family, could quite easily survive in the wild, like her family do. We’ve watched her hunt, we’ve been brought gifts of live snakes by her. We hold her, feel her and have a deep understanding of her. It was an incredible main lesson this morning. To teach about a creature that I adore with all my heart and who I know Juliette adores as well.

These are our 2 Norwegian Forest Cats….

Iceland Poppy, fast asleep as per usual, she’s either asleep, or is charging around like her tail’s on fire!

 

And that is Ruby, my most loved animal in the entire world. I adore her and she appears to love me. If I talk to her she starts purring. She’s a typical NFC, aloof, yet loving and strong willed.

Well these are the 2 cats that we finished our main lesson with today. Tomorrow we tackle the very beginning of the Norse Myths…. We can’t wait it’s so exciting. And next week is advent! We’re making stained glass windows with a Norse flavour. More on that later….

Many Blessings to you this day,

Sue

Filed under: Waldorf Norse Mythology, Waldorf Animal Studies, Waldorf Homeschooling on November 25th, 2008