Teaching the Alphabet Waldorf Inspired

So, I've read about Waldorf for many years.  I wanted to try Oak Meadow with my oldest in Grade 1.  That is actually in one of my first posts way back when.  But, I never did.

So without regrets and perfectionism we are will work through the alphabet equipped with stories from A Journey through Waldorf Homeschooling Grade 1, crayons, paper, and our imaginations.  He has already a half a years practice with letter, writing, and some reading instruction.  So, what you will see here isn't typical or wonderfully artistic.  But, it's inspired...and remember it's our journey.

Here are some more resources I dug up about Waldorf Inspired Alphabet learning and teaching.  If you have anything to share let me know and I'll add it.

Here is Elisabeth working on her main lesson book.
Artemis Moon shares how to make your own Waldorf inspired wall cards.
Road to Joy shares how she made the Alphabet hers.
Sara @ Teaching from the heart.

Friday

Math U See lesson for the youngest child. He will probably do this at a different time during the week.
Molly's Seasons
Cave and Claws Game


Of course, there is more work to be done. Some things just spill into the next day naturally anyway. But, this gives us a goal for each day. It's, also, give the children a visual to see that yes there is work to be done. No you cannot watch a movie. No you can't just play legos. Let me repeat. Did you see any legos on that shelf today?

Why Waldorf?

I got a comment about Waldorf.  I thought I would throw out a few helpful links for anyone interested.  You can always check out my cloud label in the sidebar.  There is a waldorf tag.  Just click that and you will probably find some further links.

Why Waldorf Works is a site from the Association of Waldorf Schools North America.

A Little Garden Flower & Waldorf Essentials is where I've purchased my curriculum.

Bob and Nancy's Bookshop is probably the most popular Waldorf Bookstore.

Paper Scissors Stone is a supplier of Waldorf goods.

Form Drawing

I've been interested in form drawing for awhile.  I have been hesitant because I felt like there was some secret knowledge.  I'm just starting with my Grade 1 son. We are doing forms as they introduced in A Journey through Waldorf Homeschooling Grade 1. I think it will be some good practice.  He has already been doing some basic letter writing.  So, he played with some of the ones we did.  But, honestly I will not stop because I can't do it "right".  We enjoyed the process and I think that is what matters to us.

Here is a slideshow from Millennialchild.
Curriculum and more information from Barbara Dewey and Christopherus.
Some lovely examples at Nature Nest.
A Youtube video from A Little Garden Flower. And, the DVD set.
A form drawing lesson on a chalkboard at Flickr.  (Check out the entire set of chalkboard drawings.  They are gorgeous and I'm not quite there yet=))

Thursday

Thursday the plan is to listen to a few chapters of Story of the World Volume 3 and do a notebook page or an activity.

Wednesday

Our Plans


Top to Bottom...
Bob Books Level A
Christian Liberty Nature Reader 1
First Language Lessons
Dangerous Devotions
Italics Handwriting for E


The verdict
We went swimming instead. So, everything got moved on down to Thursday. I'm afraid there will be a big pile on Friday.

Tuesday

Tuesday
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

This is our Tuesday block. Bottom to top. Real Science For Kids Biology Chapter 5. People say they speed through this book. I knew it would take us the entire year to get through. We love Nature but turning it into a textbook isn't a fun thing. We read a few sections each week, discuss it, work on the experiment and that's it. It doesn't take us long. But, we like to spend our Science time outside. Italics Handwriting workbooks and Chinese jumprope