Curriculum decisions and Waldorf

[beginner]

Hi, I have some advice maybe some of you can help me with. I am new to homeschooling and to Waldorf. I would like to start my son (7) next year with Grade 1. However, I am still deciding if Waldorf is the right "fit" for my family. Our home religion is Pantheism and one of the main reasons Waldorf caught my eye, was because of the respect they seem to instill in children for nature. I am looking for an earth-based curriculum. Can someone recommend what I need to buy or read to see if Waldorf is the right thing for us. Donna, perhaps you can mention something from your website - like one of your audios?
Then, the second question I have - is the curriculums available. I am getting very confused at the various options. I have looked at Christopherus grade 1 syllabus, Live Education and Oak Meadow and even Enki. I hear so many good things about the various ones, then some things against them. I just can't seem to decide which one is going to fit? As I am from South Africa where the exchange rate $1 to R6 - I have to make a very careful decision on where I spend my money! Perhaps some of you have used the other curriculums or even Donnas and can give me your advice or input.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Lisa in SA

[elizamars]

Hi Lisa -

I hope I can give you some good advice. I think that Waldorf is really the right fit for EVERY child and EVERY family because it is based in a deep understanding of the developmental needs of the child. Children are all different of course, but their needs as they grow are all the same, the need for warmth and rhythm, movement and play, beauty and reverence. I do not think it matters what religious belief you ascribe to, there are Waldorf die-hards from Christians to Muslims, to Atheists.

Christopherus is the best curriculum I've seen for home schooling. This is because, Donna, being a home schooler and a mother, keeps very clear that schooling at home is about family first and foremost and with that in mind she keeps her curriculum very user friendly and straight forward but at the same time very true to Waldorf principles. For the money, Donna's First Grade curriculum will give you everything you need for the whole year except for the arts and crafts supplies. There is a schedule for you to follow if you like and Donna's wise guidance for how to NOT follow her schedule if you prefer.

I own nearly all of the Christopherus materials and I also have quite a few (borrowed) Live Education materials and some old Oak Meadow stuff. There are helpful things to be found in all of it but the Christopherus materials are the ones I turn to time and time again. With my three kids of different ages, it can be hard to put together and follow through with main lessons but I will more often be able to pull these off using Donna's materials than with any others.

I am off to tell the story of Judah Maccabee and the Temple Miracle (from the Christopherus Saints and Heroes book) for Channukah.

Lisa in Pensacola, USA

[Unregistered]

Hi - we are in the Uk and new to Waldorf as well, although we have been home school for one year. I have been shown some other curriculums but can only say the first two books I ordered from Donna and Paul are excellent and I quickly ordered some more (and so near to Christmas!) Mainly because they are so user friendly for someone starting out. Also when you contact them you actually get a personal response, not an email saying you have to purchase before we can help. You do not have to buy a full curriculum if you want to try it out first, as you do with other companies. Donna also makes it easy to adapt to your own needs, and we have begun by adapting it as it suits us and our children. As for religion, we have no religious beliefs one way or another and I've still ordered the Saints block. We're currently looking at St Nicholas and Christmas traditions from all over the world.

Lisa (UK)

[Donna]

Hi!

You could also go to my old yahoo group - it is now closed and no longer accepts posts but the archives are still there and they are a very useful resource. You can search "Live Ed" and other terms such as the names of each of my publications and you can search other curriculum providers and resources. You'll get lots to read! Just remember to keep hitting search repeatedly as you'll only get a few posts each time.

Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Waldorf_at_Home/

[elizamars]

Any Lisas from other continents want to chime in on this thread? We are still seeking one from South America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica :p

Lisa
Pensacola USA

[Lisa]

Hi Lisa. I couldn't resist, even though I'm not representing any new continent, and I only have kindy materials.

Since Donna's materials are so affordably priced, you might have some leftover budget to supplement with other authors such as Alan Whitehead or Eric Fairman (sorry to give you more things to look at!) I purchased Enki's kindergarten package and use the resources for building a circle, but always come back to Christopherus material for the practical aspects of being at home with the children. When it's time for first grade buying decisions, I will probably stay with Christopherus.

Whatever you decide I would recommend getting Donna's Waldorf Curriculum Overview to give yourself a real taste of what homeschooling through the years would be like.

Best wishes,
Lisa in Seattle, USA

[beginner]

Wow! Thanks to all the Lisa's of the World! I really appreciate your advice. I especially liked the Waldorf is for EVERY family and EVERY child bit. Thanks once again.
Donna, I will try to go to the yahoo archives - at the moment my yahoo is giving me problems - I cannot join or post to any groups. As soon as it is fixed though...
Hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.
Regards,
Lisa in South Africa