Ever since our family started homeschooling with Waldorf I’ve been striving to make the curriculum our own — I want to understand the theory and philosophy behind the Waldorf curriculum well enough to be able to riff off of it — to teach content not from the viewpoint of northern Europe, as Rudolf Steiner did, … Continue reading
When I prepared to share California history with my children, I read so much, I dug into the stacks, I read everything I could. First and foremost, I wanted to understand the extent of the atrocities committed in settling and conquering California, and in what ways I still benefit today, as a descendent of settlers … Continue reading
I want to briefly share one piece of our experience doing third grade. I grew up with Jewish family who gave me cultural but not traditional religious experiences, so I knew I would have to dig deep to make an authentic connection to these texts or it would feel forced and fake. It turned out … Continue reading
As summer comes to an end, I’m preparing for our return to lessons and our homeschooling rhythm. I’ve walked in my mind through the seasons of the year, planning for the changes that will unfold in the months to come. The year of seasons forms a cycle like breathing; expansion at the summer solstice like … Continue reading
This Spring, my daughter (aged 7 1/2) pulled out the Story of the Root Children from her kinder days. I think I tried to interest her in gnome and fairy stories, as I pondered the elemental beings from Steiner’s work, but I thought it didn’t really take, back when she was 3 or 4. Now, it’s … Continue reading
I haven’t posted in almost a year — homeschool life is so full, and I feel connected in so many other ways, less in need of the online world. We started second grade material this January. And I can’t believe it! It just feels so right. Like it was meant to come to us right … Continue reading
People ask me if homeschooling is lonely. It was my main worry, too, at first. And, yes, when it was wintry dark and raining for days on end, I felt alone sometimes. But it was a chance to enjoy the solitude, recharge, and gather our energy for Spring. Actually, I felt more lonely before, trying … Continue reading
The nights are longer, the days are darker, and we love to wander through the dim and mysterious redwood forests at this time of year. We wait with excitement for the glimmer of light, growing to a flame, that comes with festivals, lighting candles, and gradually, the return of the sun! Here are some winter songs … Continue reading
We are here, four months into homeschool life, and I think our detox is coming along. Detox from some of the stresses of modern life . . . alarm clocks, the commute, traffic, daily crowds, the rush, missing home and each other . . . and it dawns on me that the children are showing signs … Continue reading
Feliz Otoño — Happy Autumn! Uhuu . . . el otoño llegó . . . Castañas y bellotas Muchas otras cosas Que cogen los niños Con mucho cariño. Uhuu . . . el otoño llegó . . . Autumn brings the last of the harvest, many fruits like manzanas, uvas, granadas, and even giant calabazas! … Continue reading
Chigüiri-cosas 