This January has been one of the coldest I've experienced since 1995, when I was in college in Maine. That winter, I remember walking across our small campus, bundled up in my warmest L.L. Bean wool sweater and down vest, and having to retreat into buildings just to escape the cold. This year, we've had several Arctic cold fronts move through, accompanied by high winds, so even if we bundle the kids up for an outdoor adventure, within minutes, they seem to get cold. I've been very grateful for indoor adventures, such as a trip to Columbia where enjoyed their huge public library, or a field trip to a local hotel that let our community rent their indoor pool for a few hours, and especially … [Read more...]
December Circle Time
Our little homeschool cooperative has expanded to 12 little ones, and still meets weekly on Friday mornings. In addition, we are gathering on Monday evenings to celebrate Advent with a beautiful spiral, singing, a short ritual, and a shared meal. It's very sweet, and I hope to take and share some photos in the coming weeks. Today, I will share our December circle time, which is a combination of nature-based, Christmas, and Advent songs, fingerplays, and movement. This month we have enjoyed listening to stories about St. Nicholas, The Christmas Rose, and the wonderful children's book, Holly and Ivy. Some of my favorite resources for creating our circle are the lovely CD Come Follow … [Read more...]
October Circle Time
October is one of my favorite months of the year, and it is a truly beautiful time in Northeast Missouri. When we arrived, almost a year ago, we were greeted by the peak fall foliage; it's such a treat to see the leaves move through this transition now. With so much happening outdoors, my emphasis on our kindergarten homeschooling experience this month is one of connecting with nature and its beauty and bounty. So we're processing apples, collecting native persimmons, eating autumn olives, taking walks in the woods to collect hickory nuts and acorns, delivering pumpkins to neighbors, and dyeing silk scarves with natural materials: black walnut, goldenrod, and pokeberry. This month, I'm … [Read more...]
September Circle Time
Our first day of school was on the late side this year, partly because of our Labor Day vacation, and partly because I just wanted to enjoy the last days of summer. I've been steadily planning and gathering resources both for our Waldorf-inspired homeschooling cooperative, and also for Kindergarten with Ella (and Preschool with Everett), and we officially began just before the Fall Equinox. Our first day of Kindergarten was really sweet, although I have to admit, the first 5 minutes were a total disaster. Everett was crying, Ella was pouting, and I tried to "keep calm and carry on." After a few songs we got back on track, and by the time I lit the story candle, we were all having a … [Read more...]
A Late Spring Waldorf Circle
Friday was our homeschool coop's final meeting for the school year. It has been such a wonderful experience for the adults, as well as for the children. There is so much I want to say about how we structure our group, how our school-creating process is evolving, and what we're visioning for the coming year, but I will get to each of those topics in turn. Today I would like to share the Circle that we have used this spring, and this week I will share our end of year ceremony. Each Friday morning, I led the ten children in song, movement, and verse for about 30 minutes. I gather my songs from the following sources: the wonderful CD "Come Follow Me," various Waldorf curricula such as … [Read more...]
Late Winter Waldorf Circle Songs
One of my favorite times of the week is Friday morning, when our little Waldorf homeschooling cooperative gathers together. Six parents and eight children crowd in a tiny living room to share songs, stories, snacks, and crafts. Our older children are 4-5 years old, and a few of us also have 2-3 year old children in tow. So, we're in essence creating a mixed ages kindergarten. It works remarkably well. The younger kids follow right along with their older siblings, with occasional breaks for cuddling or nursing. Each parent is responsible for a portion of the morning's activities, and I am generally the leader of the circle time, which consists of a few verses, some fingerplays, and lots … [Read more...]