silvertree

Beth,
I can see that we have alot in common! My dd went to a waldorf kindergarden
in RI. It was something I was so drawn to because of the beauty and healing
atmosphere that emanates from them...very clear and holistic. I went to the
Waldorf Antioch Teacher Training program in NH and thought that we would
send dd to a waldorf school. We actually even had a waldor initiative here
in CT that didn't quite make it. We were working on founding a democratic
school (like Sudbury) when there was a split in the group and some parents
asked me to help get a waldorf school going...long story. Anyway we made a
very long trek to a waldorf school for 2 years to the kindergarden...it was
wonderful and echoed the philosophy of how we were raising our dd. We even
began a silk marrionette puppetry troupe that presented plays at the school
and for the community as a way to live more deeply with story. When it came
time to go to the first grade, dd said pretty adamantly that she wanted to
homeschool...so we agreed. We had always had out feet in both
worlds...homeschooling was something we were involved with in terms of
groups, friends. I was even getting HEM before daughter was born at home.
It was in 1986 and those issues are alot different than what they have
today!! So, I did get Oakmeadow...for a few years...we never really used
much of it...the only thing that we did really use was the introduction of
letters with stories and a beautiful book that we made. We are unschoolers
and a curriculum was always in the way. I think I bought it because I was
just always connected to waldorf ideals and found the resource somewhat
compelling. Dd is now 12 1/2...we have a 6th grade Oak Meadow
curriculum...which she picks up occassionally to do some assignment out of.
It's always something she decides on her own. I find her of late wanting
somehow more a structure in her life in terms of academic pursuits but, I
think it is just a feeling her ways in this time of beginning adolescense
and change. Again, a trying it out kind of thing. I think the key is
offering up the oak meadow curriculum as a resource, not a mandatory
thing...or else it becomes school. Plus, I think Oak Meadow intended you to
use it as a curriculum to get the most out of it. I find this all very
interesting and sometimes unsettling. I certainly have days of uncertainty
and think...Maybe a curriculum would have been easier! That's the tricky
thing about all this freedom...it means we as parents have to let go of so
much to offer it up to our children in an unburdend way. The Journey
continues ...
Love and Light
Linda

----- Original Message -----
From: Beth Burnham <beth2002@...>
> From: "Beth Burnham" <beth2002@...>
>
> Mary Ellen> hang with them there. Does anyone here combine the Oak Meadow
stuff with an
> unschooling philosophy? Just curious I know they are very structured their
> curriculum and teacher directed but I wonder if there is a way to use the
> stuff they do without spending all the money just to get inspired. I want
to
> learn how to play the recorder and also knit and think if I do it myself
my
> kids may want to join me which is the Waldorf Kindergarten philosophy and
> Native American of being a role model but carry it over to other aspects
in
> life using story telling and teaching writing through art in a child
> centered way.
>
> Beth
>

Beth Burnham

Linda, so many thoughts not enough time to fully respond today but I did
want to ask if you would ever want to resell any of your old stuff esp. am
interested in first and second grade! I too checked out the Antioch program
and had a personality conflict with a woman who runs the Waldorf way she
actually physically dragged me out of a class I was sitting in on due to her
agenda that I go to some other activity she had planned and I was in the
middle of talking to someone etc. I was over 35 at the time and she was
treating me as if I were an adolescent in a regular IS Jr. High! I was in
shock and turned off to anything further but would love to get as much out
of them as a resource. Oak meadow told me they are having a sale in March
BTW for anyone interested. I don't have the money to invest in their yearly
curriculum but would love to read them or borrow or purchase resale if you
know of any for sale. Also do you still do the silk puppet troupe thing?
That must have been a great experience for you . I love to go see these
shows and watch the effect they have on myself and my children it is so
mystical and empowering of the imagination. I think we always leave them
feeling something indescribable in words but definitely a creative spiritual
and soothing learning experience for the audience at any age.
Beth
beth2002@...

[email protected]

This isn't the first time someone has mentioned preteen/teen children
wanting more structure. Maybe they are ready to put aside the play of a
young child and begin to seek their life's work. (Which hopefully will
be play of a different sort, if they are allowed to pursue their
interests!)
Mary Ellen
One can never have too many buttons.
Laurella Lederer

>>> Dd is now 12 1/2.. I find her of late wanting
somehow more a structure in her life in terms of academic pursuits but, I
think it is just a feeling her ways in this time of beginning adolescense
and change.
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