Our Waldorf Homeschool Journey

We’re in the 3rd week of Advent here and I just wanted to share last weeks advent chalkboard drawing with you. Down below you’ll see a drawing I did of a Mother with her child, for me we are all children of 1 mother, great spirit…whatever you wish to call it.We use the verse of Rudolf Steiners about advent, which speaks about which kingdom we’re focusing on each week.

Our family celebrates advent over a period of 4 weeks, each week is dedicated to the celebration of a kingdom, mineral,plant,beasts and then human…where all 3 kingdoms are present. It is a time for reverance, a time to recognise that we are all connected and one. A time for quiet, yet celebration, introspection…

A time when love is almost visible.

Each week I write the verse for the week next the above picture and draw either sea shells, crystals,stones etc around it, or plants, fruit etc, or beasts and then finally the birth of humankind, as we understand it now.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas, where ever you are and whatever you believe, it is a time of magic…anything seems possible. I may not be able to blog again until after Christmas as I have many wishes that I’m hoping will come true before 25.12…if I only blog next year, please understand. xxx

Filed under: Festivals, Waldorf Homeschooling on December 16th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Well it’s been 10 days since I updated the blog which is frustrating! So I’m going to try and summarise what we’ve done over those 10 days. StJohn is finally free of mumps, they went down 2 days ago! And yes, you guessed right, Jules now has mumps, started yesterday…2 days last week were lost to dentist appointments for Juliette on 1 day, and the previous day she flipped out due to the stress of the impending dental visit… So school has not been going according to schedule. But what have we been doing?

Well for Grade 5 we finished off the last of the Indus Valley Civilization by looking at their belief systems and their view of the afterlife. All this knowledge was gleaned through the archeological evidence of the Harrapa dig.

I spoke to Jules about the people of this land paying homage to Mother Earth and their various fertility goddesses…

and we looked at the various items found in the burial sites. The various items buried with the person tells us that the living believed in an afterlife of some sort. Slightly similar to the Egyptians, very slightly.

But I wanted to end that main lesson block with a fun activity! I try and do this with every block we finish, I’m a firm believer of sending them off on a high note ;o) !

So we looked back at the form drawing we’d done of the various seals of the Indus Valley people and we made our own seals, not out of clay, but potatos!

It had to be done in a day, be soooo much fun (read messy) and inspirational!We let StJohn do his own as well, as by this stage he was out of bed for a few hours a day and getting bored! The thing with potato stamps is that the potato is soft and easy to carve, yet it holds it’s form and stamps well. We just used normal poster paint – there was no way I was using my precious Stockmar paints to have potato rubbed in them! First we made a few of the seals  identical to the Indus Valley seals,

 and then I asked Juliette to make a personal seal for herself. I asked her to take her self back in time…If she had lived in the Indus Valley what would she be known for? Now my daughter is beyond crazy about cats, so it was inevitable….Her seal is a cats head, and she would have been known, 7 500years ago, as the Keeper of the Cats.(She totally came up with the name and design on her own no help at all from me). It’s the pale blue seal below…

 And that brought us to the end of that lesson block. We were then ready to start with India! Finally it is such a huge mythology, it’s so vast and great fun.

Filed under: Ancient Civilisations, Waldorf Grade 5, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 19th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

When we look at any of our lessons, being Animal Fables in Grade 2 or Mythology in Grade 4, 5, 6 etc I try and include an animal study and a plant study. If I am able to juggle everything then I’m able to do a single chalkboard drawing for both the Gr2 and Gr5 main lesson… I needed to find an animal for Jules to study in Pakistan, an animal or bird that was there 7 000 years ago. So we discovered the Indian Red Jungle Fowl…great! I then found an Indian animal fable for StJohn and changed the bird and his wife into Indian Red Jungle Fowl! It was a stunning fable about a bird and his wife named Mr and Mrs Tee-Tee-Bah…

 I told StJ. the story of Mr & Mrs Tee-Tee-Bah and how proud this little bird was, so proud in fact that he would take on the entire ocean! After his main lesson, he started to draw the picture and leave space for the summary, while he did this, Juliette and I did her main lesson, which was the Animal Study of the Indian Red Jungle Fowl as it must have been in the Indus Valley 7 000 years ago. Here are their main lesson books…First StJohns Animal Fable for Gr 2….

And then Gr5, Juliette’s, animal study…

 So that was it, the Animal Fable for StJohn for Grade 2 and the Animal Study for the Indus Valley for Juliette for Grade 5. Don’t get me wrong at no point do I teach them the same thing, it’s just a way when possible to cut down on my chalkboard work, and it’s easier for me to continue talking about the same thing whether a fable or factual. It just eases the day a bit…

Filed under: Ancient Civilisations, Waldorf Animal Studies, Waldorf Grade 2, Waldorf Grade 5, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 18th, 2009 | No Comments »

We woke up on Saturday morning, all excited and looking forward to our festival only to discover when StJohn woke up that he had …mumps! Oh no! What to do? We couldn’t delay the festival, they’d been looking forward to it for weeks…So we went ahead with it…I had to cancel our friends coming round, and feed Sin pain killers, but he had a good time despite all of this. Strangely enough it was the best festival we’d had…here are the pics!

First thing that morning we made Dragon Bread together…

 It came out looking like a fat cat with a spikey back, but the kids were thrilled with it! I made flames out of the dough (for it’s mouth) as well but it fell off LOL! Anyway as I said the kids loved it and it tasted great. We used Almonds for the claws, teeth and ridges on his back.

Then we made flapjack batter for dessert. Then we had to wait. We threaded fairy lights through the stairs and set the table. Finally it was time to start…

We always start with the lighting of candles for everything we do…I told the story again about StGeorge and the Archangel Michael, then John presented StJohn with his sword and shield that he and StJohn had worked at all week and read the inscription on the back.

On the back was written,

“When strength and freedom are joined with love and healing all evil can be overcome.”

Then I presented each child with a cloak which I’d made quickly the night before. I found the verse for “cloak giving” here!StJohns was a golden yellow satin, and as I placed it around his shoulders I said,

“I give to you a cloak of golden light, to give you courage, strength and might.”

Then Juliette was presented with a shimmering silver cloak and was told,

“I give to you a cloak of silver light to give you courage,  kindness and might.”

 You’ll notice the Ben 10 t-shirt. We don’t own a TV, StJohn saw Ben 10 twice at his Grandmothers house. Just twice! And he became crazy about this character, also he’s constantly bombarded by merchandise at the various stores. I cannot bear Ben 10! So what to do? Obviously Sin needed a hero so we made a huge fuss about Michaelmas, and StGeorge, and as I put StJohn to bed that night, all my hard work was rewarded, he said,”Mom, I don’t like Ben 10 anymore, he’s just a drawing. StGeorge was a real man. He was awesome, I can be just like him.” Ahem..end of rant,sorry!

Then we sat down together, said our dinner verse and had a feast. I wrapped baked potatoes in foil for the kids, as a surprise on their plates. Here they are…dragon potatoes…

StJohn then took off his foil wrapping and shaped into a heart for his sister…And that was it…Michaelmas was at an end. What an incredible week we had. I’d like to leave you with a link to an Article written by Ita Wegman about the work of the Archangel Michael. It changes the way you view the festival of Michaelmas, and also is a wonderfully concise history of the human race, from the perspective of Spiritual Science. Read it HERE.

Filed under: Anthroposophy, Festivals, Rudolf Steiner, Verses, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 7th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Filed under: Festivals, Homeschool, Homesteading Recipes, Vegan Stuff, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

On Tuesday, we did a version of the story of St George, how he received his name, supposedly from a King. Today I told them a story of how StGeorge was as a child and how he met the Archangel Michael. How Michael taught him about using strength for the good of all. The story was written by Christine Natale and is positively beautiful.Read it by clicking HERE!

I changed it slightly for my two, to include being kind to small animals, as StJohn can sometimes be a bit rude to our cats and dog.I was also guided to add a line on the end. “And this strong boy, who had grown into such a fine courageous mans’ name was George.”

As I said this StJohn just about jumped out of his chair. He started babbling really fast…”You see St George was just like me, I can grow into a strong kind man.” And I said to him, “Sweetheart you are already a strong kind boy.” I just had to share that with you. The more we work with our angels and our childrens’ angels the more we get out of our lessons, and our life, in fact. I firmly believe that story was needed for StJohn at this time on his journey.

As I was telling the story to the kids, I got to the part where Michael lifts the strong boy onto his horse and the horse sprouts wings as does Michael, and I was looking at StJohn at this point. His eyes opened wider and his mouth formed a perfect “O”.

Before we did the story we needed a few additions to the chalkboard, so we popped the Archangel Michael in, so here it is…you see, the drawing is the same, but has a few new goodies in. My kids love discovering the new additions…

It was a sculpting day so the children used their clay to make well…I encourage them to create what they feel about the stories. StJohn made St George, a horse, a dove and a sword. Jules made a horse, a horse brush and food bowl and a sword. We used grey clay this day instead of the terracotta we usually use, because we want to paint them when they dry tomorrow. Tomorrow we paint our sculptures, make dragon bread for the feast that evening, and decorate our “dragon egg” cupcakes.

I can’t wait… I looove festivals! Now I’m off to make lunch and make a start of the cupcakes and capes…Have a blessed day!

 I left the children with a small verse/thought from our story today, which they have written in their festival book…

When strength and freedom are joined with love and healing, all evil can be overcome and great things can happen!

Filed under: Festivals, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

On Tuesday, we did a version of the story of St George, how he received his name. But first I just want to share a little something I do to make my life easier and hold the kids attention…Those chalkboard drawings…I get a lot of emails asking how to do them or if they’re really necessary?

I feel that they are important. Steiner speaks about children (and adults) thinking in pictures, hence the introduction of letters in first grade as things – an example would be the letter B, we used a small butterfly, called Bertie. The B was his body, and wings were attached to it. (You can find out more about this in Steiners lectures-Discussions with Teachers)I feel that this extends all the way through a childs’ education. Drawing it on paper just doesn’t have the same feel for me, but that’s a personal choice of course. Anyway back to Michaelmas…

I have 1 chalkboard drawing for the week in a festival week. I make sure when I draw it that first – I ask my angel to guide me, second – I have a good overview of all aspects of the stories to be told for the entire week. I then include drawings of all these things in the drawing, like St George, sunflowers, a dragon etc. And I make sure I am able to rub out certain items and replace them with others. For example, on Monday we did the story of the little boy in Africa who conquered the dragon.

In that chalkboard drawing I had mud huts for the village. Now in Tuesdays’, story I needed a castle. So I rub out the mud huts and replace it with a castle. And a very important part of that story was the work of a white dove, who flew across forests to fetch St George, the brave knight, so I make a little space for her, and pop her in. All in all we change the chalkboard drawing in under 5 minutes, and the kids are thrilled. It makes my life it little easier…

Wednesday was a handwork day…still knitting, Jules is busy with socks, and miracle of miracles, she’s even knitting in bed at night! This is awesome for her she usually has a moan everytime the knitting is mentioned! StJohn is busy with his bright orange hand warmers, happy and industrious as usual.

Yesterday the story of St George was also about a princess, this time set in Libya, so the chalkboard drawing remained the same.I must admit I had an internal giggle, as I’d forgotten to show them where Libya was on the worldmap.

So I started the story, and StJohn interrupts, saying,”Libya?”And Jules steps in and says, “Yes Sin (his nickname),it’s at the top of Africa next to Egypt.”He then says, okay, quite satisfied, and we continue the story.  I found the exchange interesting for 2 reasons, firstly Juliette has an understanding of  world Geography (I wasn’t aware of how much she knew!). And secondly, the interruption which I don’t encourage was handled so peacefully, that it never changed the tone of the story. I told the story which can be found in this book…

And it was a painting day so here are their paintings. We used “normal” paints not the wet on wet style we usually do with the Goethean watercolours. Here they are, there is an abundance of water and sky as in the story the dragon rises out of a lake…

First StJohns’…

And Juliettes’ …

And that was the end of yesterday, John is busy making a sword and shield for StJohn, to be presented at the Michaelmas celebration on Saturday night, and I need to make 2 Capes of Golden Light…at this point I still haven’t unpacked the material for the capes, never mind any design ideas!

Filed under: Festivals, Handwork & Crafting, Waldorf Grade 2, Waldorf Grade 5, Waldorf Homeschooling on October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

So it is that awesome time of year again, the Festival of Michaelmas. I want to share this week with you so that you can maybe get some ideas, or some resources that may make your Michaelmas a bit easier and richer. It’s often the planning which can be exhausting and it takes a lot away from your enjoyment so here goes….

First as always the chalkboard drawing for the week…

Firstly we did an hour of form drawing and then had a break and spent about half an hour singing our Michaelmas Song, which this year is Battle Hymn of the Republic. You can download it here!

We also ran around the garden, with StJohn being St George and trying to fight 2 dragons at the same time (Juliette and I) as we licked him with our dragon fire. Okay, our dragon fire was the ribbon at the end of our ribbon wands, but still he sure fought it! It was so much fun. I never thought I’d be running around the garden roaring, singing, marching and just having an awesome time…

We started off the week with an African myth, set in the Drakensberg, which when translated into English means, Dragon Mountain.It is a story about a little boy who has to fight a dragon that torments his village throughout the rainy season, with the lightening flashing from his eyes and the huge roar he makes. Needless to say this little boy dug down deep and defeats the dragon using his courage, strength and might.Of course he also used a large stone and a drum. The dragon is then transformed back into a beautiful lady who had been bewitched and gives the small boy her teeth as a gift. He then plants them in the ground as instructed and beautiful sunflowers grow. Each year at this time (Spring) these flowers blossom again. Our flowers for this week in our home are sunflowers. The theme of sunflowers (the warmth of the sun), courage, strength and might permeate everything we do this week. You can get this amazing tale here!

Though Juliette definitely gets a deeper meaning from this week, most of what we do is aimed at StJohn, as he studies the Saints this year. He is captivated by StGeorge and we’ve only been busy with him for 2 days! He is using an old blanket as a cloak, a wooden sword (a bit the worse for wear) to fight dragons, which are all over the house and garden. This is his drawing of yesterdays lesson…

And Juliettes’ drawing of this lesson…

 We then ended the day with more singing. The poem that I gave both of them to write out is an old celtic poem about conquering the dragon. For us this means not only the dragons all about us, but the more difficult dragon to conquer, the dragon within us all…

Forge me with fire
A sword for my smiting
Fright to my foes
And flames for my fighting

Shape me a shield
Both Forceful and Fierce
Stalwart and Shapely
To fend against fears

 Many blessings to you all this week as we all celebrate Michaelmas throughout the world.

May Courage, Strength and Might be your gift this year.

Filed under: Festivals, Verses, Waldorf Grade 2, Waldorf Grade 5, Waldorf Homeschooling on September 29th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

I’ve been asked this about 10 times this week! Maybe it’s the weather??Anyway, so I thought I’d just put it out there and anyone who is curious can get some answers…

I’ve been a vegetarian for 20 years on and off. At least 10 years before I’d even heard of Dr Steiner. I choose not to eat meat for ethical reasons. I don’t believe in killing animals and torturing them for food, being their meat or their milk. I’ve tried to bring the kids up with as little meat as possible, but if the entire family isn’t behind you, you’re just fighting a losing battle. Finally for health reasons Dad has had to ditch all animal products…and all animal by-products. This is brilliant, fantastic, amazing!

Finally we get to do what I’ve been wanting for years. We’re, all 4 of us, completely free of all meat and all animal products.

We’re at this point eating a purely plant based diet, other than honey – that’s flower and bee based ) And I’m a pain in the bum when it comes to who put it in the bottle. Apparently some producers filter the honey through charred animal bones??I mean honestly – what the hell are they thinking!!!Oh, sorry, I guess it’s more profitable…YUCK!

I know, from experience, that most people are pretty against this lifestyle choice. So I don’t usually discuss it. Why? I don’t know, it is a personal choice and I never force my beliefs on anyone else. But this post is for you guys who want to know what we eat…

I’ve been told that we cannot live on salads – you know!!Well honestly we don’t eat much salad at all – here’s an example of what we’ve eaten over the past few days…

Yesterday

Breakfast – fruit, non-gm soya yoghurt and porridge (oats)

Lunch – Sandwiches with various spreads, cut up carrots, cucumber and apple

Dinner – Spaghetti with a tomato, green pepper, mushroom and red wine sauce and a side salad

Snacks included – popcorn,dried fruit, nuts, carob rice cakes, crackers,ice lollies (made with pure fruit juice and water)

Today

Breakfast – Waffles (no egg and non-gm soyamilk instead of cow), served with organic raw honey and strawberries and bananas

Lunch – Hotdogs (really cool vegan hot dog sausages) * nice to have a “junk” food treat

Dinner – Shepherds pie (made with lentils,carrots, peas,potatoes etc.)The usual recipe but without meat and milk…And decadent carob chunks for dessert.

Snacks for today – popcorn again (kids choice),dried fruit, nuts,matzos (Jules fave food), carob and coconut bars

We’ve also had fruit muffins for breakfast this past week, sandwiches with hummus for lunch, chinese stir fry and stuffed pita pockets for dinner. That’s just off the top of my head. Tomorrow we’re experimenting with wraps ;o)

Honestly I find cooking this way far more relaxing and stress free.It feels right for me. I enjoy every meal, and I feel like I can breathe…  I feel lighter…and when we say our blessing before a meal it means so much more…

Earth who gave to us this food

 Sun who made it ripe and good

Dear Sun, Dear Earth by you we Live

Our loving thanks to you we give.

Filed under: Vegan Stuff, Waldorf Homeschooling on September 26th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

I just wanted to add a quick post before I put the babies to bed. The book we use the most for our Waldorf Handwork projects, in fact I’ve based my kids entire handwork curriculum on it is, Rudolf Steiners’ Indications on Handwork. It has everything you’ll ever need in it. It explains, why we do the handwork we do, at the appropriate age that we do.

And you know what it is free of charge! The complete guide to Waldorf Handwork and you can download it right now…

Filed under: Anthroposophy, Handwork & Crafting, Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf Homeschooling on September 24th, 2009 | No Comments »