It seems to start about this time of the year. Of course, if you have younger children, you may just be starting your homeschooling journey. That is going to be excited!
For veteran homeschoolers, you may want to take a look at how your current curriculum is working out. Is it a fit for you and your child and lifestyle? For new curriculum, the best advice is to talk to other moms who have used the one you are considering. Ask what they liked and did not like. Try to get a feel for the style of the curriculum. Is it all laid out for you? Or is it just concepts that you will have to fill in? Rigorous or following state regulations?
A lot of moms use many different resources combined (me included) but sometimes that can lead to purchasing "too much" and then only using a few items. If you have a local Waldorf co-op you may plan to all get together and compare notes and books. This is what the Atlanta based Waldorf group The Peach Cobblers (co-started by Carrie Dentdler of The Parenting Passageway) do. I drive over and spend the weekend in blissful Waldorf-ness. It is nice to have that feedback. If you are more isolated and there are no moms around, check out the yahoo groups for ideas and there is a forum for members of the International Association of Waldorf Homeschooling group.
Ideally, just getting a feel for what is coming in the next year is a great start. Immerse yourself into the stories and ideas. If it is fairy tales, read some. Pick ones that feel your child would benefit from. 2nd grade Fables & Saints, the library has many options for you. For newbies, it may feel overwhelming all that you have to know and do, but taking time now to get familiar with the materials will go a long way to boosting confidence. Start painting and using block crayons if you are new to the Waldorf techniques. Some moms do a practice main lesson book with the stories pictures and summaries. Then when school starts, you already have it ready
For veteran homeschoolers, you may want to take a look at how your current curriculum is working out. Is it a fit for you and your child and lifestyle? For new curriculum, the best advice is to talk to other moms who have used the one you are considering. Ask what they liked and did not like. Try to get a feel for the style of the curriculum. Is it all laid out for you? Or is it just concepts that you will have to fill in? Rigorous or following state regulations?
A lot of moms use many different resources combined (me included) but sometimes that can lead to purchasing "too much" and then only using a few items. If you have a local Waldorf co-op you may plan to all get together and compare notes and books. This is what the Atlanta based Waldorf group The Peach Cobblers (co-started by Carrie Dentdler of The Parenting Passageway) do. I drive over and spend the weekend in blissful Waldorf-ness. It is nice to have that feedback. If you are more isolated and there are no moms around, check out the yahoo groups for ideas and there is a forum for members of the International Association of Waldorf Homeschooling group.
Ideally, just getting a feel for what is coming in the next year is a great start. Immerse yourself into the stories and ideas. If it is fairy tales, read some. Pick ones that feel your child would benefit from. 2nd grade Fables & Saints, the library has many options for you. For newbies, it may feel overwhelming all that you have to know and do, but taking time now to get familiar with the materials will go a long way to boosting confidence. Start painting and using block crayons if you are new to the Waldorf techniques. Some moms do a practice main lesson book with the stories pictures and summaries. Then when school starts, you already have it ready
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