Saturday, January 30, 2010

Waldorf Physics Teaching - Magnetism, Fluids, Bones, Heat Energy, Path of Light




















To see more information and main lesson book examples about physics blocks, please visit Rick's blog: www.thewaldorfway.blogspot.com.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Enjoying Math!





















We've been enjoying math lately!  Come and take a peek....



















Time Charts (seasons, months, weather, solstice/equinox -- thank you to the amazing Our Little Nature Nest blog for inspiration!)



















Mathematicians (theories, biography writing)



















Artistic Geometry


























































Tesselations




















Clock

Mathematics Around Us (Waldorf Education Resources S.)
Tessellations : The History and Making of Symmetrical Designs
Teaching Mathematics in Rudolf Steiner Schools: For Classes I-VIII

Friday, January 22, 2010

Homelearning Snippets





















Here are a few things that we've been doing lately at Syrendell....


Painting wood spinning tops (Stockmar watercolors, then beeswax)

















Making hanging stars from kite paper (tutorial at Bust magazine's blog: http://www.bust.com/blog/2009/12/23/busts-holiday-gift-to-you-we-made-a-diy-snowflake-tutorial-video.html)

















Creating terrariums from moss that we found on our nature walks




































Layering compost piles (more to come on this!)














Tissue-papering a winter scene in a door window
















Making electic go-karts out of a kit from Steiner College bookstore















Cousins crocheting scarves 



































Visiting the winter look of Raphael Garden at Steiner College
The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs: 500 Classic & Original Patterns
Gardening for Life - The Biodynamic Way: A Practical Introduction to a New Art of Gardening, Sowing, Planting, Harvesting
Watercolor Paints (Set of 6)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Making Flute Cases







Last year, we crocheted cases for our Interval Choroi wood flutes.  This year, we knitted cases for our Pentatonic Choroi wood flutes.  The kids selected wool fiber colors and handspun their own yarns on the spinning wheel before crocheting and knitting.























Making a case is simple. Adjust starting row to fit the size of your flute.













Crochet
1.  Chain 16-20.
2.  Single crochet until you create a rectangle that is 1-2 inches longer than your flute.
3.  Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.  Sew this tail into the bottom and side of the case with a yarn needle.














Knit
1.  Cast on 26-20 stitches
2.  Knit rows until you create a rectanlge that is 1-2 inches longer than your flute.  Another option is knit one row, purl the next row, repeat.
3. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Sew this tail into the bottom and side of the case with a yarn needle.

























Tie Options
1.  Lucet, crochet chain, spoolknit, braid, kumihimo a cord or make a twizzler, long enough to tie into a bow.
2.  Either weave in and out of stitches to make a drawstring, or just tie it at the top, or sew the middle of the cord onto the case and then tie.
3.  If you want to crochet or knit one side longer, you can have a "flap" that closes up the case.  The cord can be tied through the flap, or you may sew a button in place instead of tying a bow.

If you need to learn how to sping, knit or crochet, try private lessons or classes at your local yarn shop.  Youtube has some nice videos.  Also, www.nexstitch.com and www.knittinghelp.com have free video tutorials.  The book links at the bottom of this post are very easy to follow.  We offer lessons and workshops in the Sacramento, CA area, and other locations upon request: www.syrendellacademy.com.

If you have older students, consider using a variety of crochet/knit stitches, adding beadwork or embroidery.  Be creative and have fun!


Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting (Teach Yourself Visually)
Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer)
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer)