Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Foreign Language Tele-seminar Thurs. 2/4














Free teleseminar on foreign language and homeschooling this Thursday with Jennifer Tan at 5pm PST (8pm EST).  Register at: www.thewaldorfconnection.com.   You can listen in via phone or on your computer.  If you listen on the computer, you will also be able to view a visual presentation! 

The Waldorf Connection is offering free replays of the presentation on their website for up to 48 hours after the show. Special deals in our Etsy shop for those who listen!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Candlemas and Groundhog's Day















We celebrated Candlemas and Groundhog's Day today!  We discussed the origins of the holidays and read a verse from Earthschooling's 1st grade curriculum about Candlemas from the Middle Ages.











We sang our own song that we like to sing during circle time, "Little Candle".
Little candle burning bright
You are such a pretty sight
Show us all your shining light
Little candle burning bright

We drew candles with oil pastels.













Then, we played a round of Groundhog's Day "shadow tag" (also from Earthschooling).

And folded a new window star for the front door, embracing the light in Winter.
Magical Window Stars

Monday, February 1, 2010

The River















The river she is flowing
Flowing and growing
The river she is flowing
Down to the sea

Mother carry me
Your child I will always be
Father carry me
Down to the sea....














Today was sunny, so we went for a hike down by the American River near our home in Fair Oaks, CA.  We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed the sun on our faces!

Crossing a bridge














Skipping stones













Making bark/leaf rafts














Finding a nest
Picking flowers for Mommy
Finding fish bones
Mistletoe on the oak trees
Collecting interesting river rocks
Seeking out mushrooms
Hiking on trails
An amazing day!

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)