We are, yes once again, shifting gears a little bit. Bug reiterated this week his desire to study for the ACL's National Mythology Exam, so he'll be focusing on mythology once or twice a week, and at all odd hours here and there! I went ahead and ordered the study packets for him so we have a good general idea of exactly what to study.
Cricket and I finally launched her children around the world study with Hungary last night, reading A Song for Lena, which was a lovely story with beautiful soft watercolor illustrations. We'll also read from a book of Eastern European fairy tales this week, and A Family in Hungary.
I have been perusing Waldorf blogs again, and want to start incorporating more Waldorf methods in our home. At first, I simply thought Oak Meadow, and promptly tormented myself in trying to find older (and therefore cheaper) versions. After a week though, I realized it is not the week-by-week lesson plans that I really want... it is the feeling of the lessons, with Main Lesson Books, main lesson blocks, storytelling, art, handicrafts, etc. I think there is a way I can use my own curriculum choices that reflects these aspects of Waldorf. I also really want more seasonality in our schedule. I may be getting a copy of the Christopherus Waldorf Curriculum Overview for Homeschoolers, which is a book that allows for personalized curriculum choices within a Waldorf context. I'll get a book or two on seasonal crafts and projects as well.
All of this ties in beautifully with Spiral Scouts, by the way. The kids are deciding on projects that include cooking (which in turn involves multicultural aspects), mythology, art, gardening, sculpture, recycling, etc.
So where am I going with all this rambling? I think we're going to try Main Lesson Books, though I'll probably do these as binders with good quality paper. I'd like more art and rhythm in our days. Main Lesson Books would also make beautiful keepsakes! I have plans to set up, once again, a nature table in our home. We had one before and loved it, but then kittens played havoc with it, and we haven't had one in over a year. I think too we might try main lesson blocks, allowing Bug time to delve into and really enjoy Ancient Greece and its mythology, and then Rome... maybe a Norse block as well. And Cricket's world culture studies are easily divisible into blocks, the current one being Eastern Europe. Sciences could involve a gardening block in the spring when we finally will be putting in raised beds and a real vegetable garden. I'd also like both of them to get some hands-on carpentry skills at some point. Cricket was doing well with crocheting and I think I might teach her to knit as well.
Along another line of thought, I'm also looking at moving from A First Book of American History to Time Travelers from Homeschool in the Woods, which are excellent cd-roms with all kinds of printables and projects as well as short lessons. Bug really wants to make a complete lapbook at some point, and I think Cricket will like many of the Colonial projects. IF we go this route, we'll be wrapping up explorers over the next couple of weeks, and then we'll move into Colonial times. My only goal at this point would be to get up through the American Revolution by the end of the academic year, with lots of time for rabbit trails along the way!
We'll see what happens!
You know, G, you can easily add Waldorf-ish elements to your current studies. I'm already thinking of ways to keep a MLB when we do SOTW next year. The art, handicrafts, seasonal crafts, the beauty can be added to most things.
ReplyDeleteWe have added science books to Rella's science this year because there's not enough in OM 2 for her. It's been fun and we do a MLB drawing of her favorite part. I'm going to blog about it in our weekly wrap up on Friday. I think our brains are going in the same direction! :-)