Welcome to A Little Garden Flower & Waldorf Essentials

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! BE A BEACON!

“The self-education of adults is essential for the Waldorf approach to educating children, because Waldorf does not consist solely of methods, techniques, or structures, but rather the development of human capacities – those of the children but also, and more importantly, those of teachers and parents.”

~ Robert McDermott

Welcome to Be A Beacon! You are in for a treat - an inner work treat.  We have been talking about the importance of inner work for years and we are answering a call to address inner work for our very important demographic - MOMS!

There are so many paths to inner work - where do you start? We will explore many paths, many cultures and many teachers.  Among those teachers we will discuss the work of Rudolf Steiner, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Abraham, Deepak Chopra and many more. We will work with concepts from the Bible, Koran, Gita and many other holy books - there are many, many common threads. I will work to relate my own experiences as well to bring you a dynamic program that will have you on the road to really feeling like the BEACON you should be for your family.  This is a very exciting new service and I hope you will all take the journey with us!

"At every moment the listener may say to himself: that, of which they speak, I too can learn, if I develop within myself certain powers which today still slumber within me. There remains only one question — how to set to work to develop such faculties."
~Rudolf Steiner, Knowledge of the Higher Worlds

   Monthly Membership includes:

• Special access to newly recorded shows available only to those participating in the program.  These shows are meant to get you started on this journey and to get you thinking about what inner work means to you. These recordings include:
• Welcome to "Be a Beacon"
• Catalysts for Change
• Personal Gurus
• The Importance of Inner Work
• How to Meditate
• Bi weekly lessons and discussions delivered via private yahoo group
• 2 monthly private live radio shows/interactive chats
• Archives available for duration of membership
• Planning and goal setting tools geared directly to Waldorf homeschooling
• In depth inner work study covering many faith groups, including in depth Steiner and other modern inner work experts.

Some of the monthly themes include: getting started right, relationships, balancing, knowing when to cut back and how, Steiner's basic 6 in depth,  festivals and inner work meanings, exploring biography, mediation through Waldorf art and so much more.

When you join, you will also receive recommended reading and tools to get you started along with an invitation to join the private group.

Register through our store - we have monthly, quarterly and six month options.  Sign up soon!  The series starts on Thursday, November 12 at 9pm EST.

Nov 2 Radio Show Winter Festivals

Late Fall & Early Winter Festivals

The focus of this show was late fall and early winter festivals: Martinmas, Advent, St. Nick and also a couple minutes discussing US Thanksgiving.  We discuss planning for festivals as well as an in depth look at celebration ideas.  You can listen at blogtalkradio.com/alittlegardenflower

Show sponsor: Jodie @ homemusicmaking.blogspot.com

Notes from the Garden:
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming from us this Friday, Nov. 6th - check back each day for hints!

We have lots of fun new handwork kits in the store starting at $8.50.  These are great gifts or fun fast projects.

Coming to Waldorf Late

The past two radio shows focused on coming to Waldorf during the grade school years.  I want to address some of the key points that we feel are important when you are new to Waldorf homeschooling.  Most people only think of the beeswax crayons, nice pencils and paint - these are great, but what do you do with them?  It all starts with good planning and understanding the curriculum, otherwise the materials are just things - they aren't the heart and soul of Waldorf.  Below are some sets for each of the grades (you can find full descriptions in our store), purchasing these bundled sets directly from our blog will save you some money as they are discounted from the full price.  Be sure to visit our radio station to listen to both shows on the topic.

Our daughter showing some grade 1 work

Grade 1 (age 6-7):  While you want to make sure you have a good grasp of the grade one basics, be sure you also do your background work.  I recommend studying Steiner himself where possible.  I also recommend this bundle below that includes: A Journey... audio series (in download mp3 format), Coloring with Block Crayons DVD set, Form Drawing DVDs, Waldorf Homeschool Planning DVDs, e-book versions of our Grade 1 curriculum and our Grades 1-5 math book.  $125

Our daughter with her grade two Saint Patrick drawing.

Grade 2 (age 7-8):  In many ways, grade two is an extension of grade one.  Some children are reading well and some are still coming along.  When you come to Waldorf at this stage, you will need many of the foundations that we recommend for grade one, the exception being that you will want our grade two curriculum instead. This bundle includes everything above substituting with grade two. $120

Math wheel

Grade 3 (age 8-9):  Consider not working on the regular Waldorf festivals this year but rather celebrate Jewish festivals and ease into your year.  Remember to keep any history to an age-appropriate level.  You can skip the fairy tales and the fables at this point unless you want to use them as extra stories.   This bundle includes: A Journey...downloads, e-book copies of our Grade 3 curriculum and Math book, Block Crayon DVDs, Planning DVDs, and Form Drawing DVDs. $122

Grade four lesson from Norse myth, past, present & future.

Grade 4 (age 9-10):  If you begin with Waldorf this year, you will want to be certain you fully understand the man/animal main lesson as this will give you a foundation of what is to come in the upper elementary grades.  You may also consider some drawing classes or our block crayon DVD.  For this year's bundle we recommend: e-books of our Grade 4 curriculum and our Math book, A Journey downloads, Planning DVDs, and Form Drawing DVDs.  $90

Grade 5 Geometry drawing

Grade 5 (age 10-11):  You should consider doing the 4th grade man/animal lesson block before the botany block.  Be sure not to skip form drawing and geometry.  The fifth grade bundle includes: Grade 5 curriculum and Math both e-books, A Journey downloads, Planning DVDs, Form Drawing DVDs, and Geometry e-book & DVDs. $120

Example of grade 6 map drawing

Grade 6 (age 11-12):  This year will start off great if you have a good understanding of the history covered in grade five through ancient cultures.  Take the time to understand the time periods and the geography.  Spend time covering zoology and botany.  The bundle for this grade includes: Grade 6 curriculum e-book, A Journey downloads, Planning DVDs, Form Drawing DVDs, and Geometry DVDs. $97

**Although I didn't bundle our Block Crayon DVD for the upper elementary grades, it can be a great tool for you as a resource on learning how to make beautiful chalk board drawings - the processes are very similar.  Also, while I did not mention it in each grade, handwork is an important part of Waldorf education.  We have many handwork supplies in our shop.

From grade seven through high school, Waldorf can be a bit trickier to integrate.  My best suggestion is to go through the base history curriculum to be sure your child has a good understanding of the work and how we got to where we are as a society.  Be sure to cover the sciences in depth. 

Remember that Waldorf is about allowing the child to develop through age-appropriate material and activities.  Stand back and watch them blossom - do not be in a hurry.  Be sure to take the time to plan and understand the material for yourself.  You can do it!  Welcome to Waldorf!

Blessings.

Melisa Nielsen

OCTOBER RADIO SHOWS: Coming to Waldorf Late

Now that the school year has started, are you panicked?  Are you new to Waldorf and thought you had everything in order only to realize that there are so many things yet to learn?  Perhaps you are considering taking your child out of school to homeschool with the Waldorf method and you don't know how you will catch up. 

Take a breath and rest easy - this show is for you.  Now is not the time to worry but to become resolute.  This show will help you know what to focus on.  The scope of part one is grades one through three.  

Past radio shows that might interest you if you are coming to Waldorf homeschooling late are our shows on planning, inner work and the grades.  You might also be interested in our Planning DVDs or A Journey Audio Series.

Late in the show, we discussed chapter six of "Rhythms of Learning" by Roberto Trostli.  This chapter covers the upper elementary years, grades five through eight.  On October 19th, we will discuss chapter 7...the high school years.

Part two will air live on Monday, October 19th at 8:00 am EST and will cover grades four and up.

Show sponsor: Home Music Making

The show can be downloaded HERE

The Gnomes Home Radio

For the past few months, we have been working on a solution for The Gnomes Home radio that is both user-friendly and family-friendly.  To keep the radio show free for listeners, we have tested out a few different sites but in doing so we had to compromise on standards.  We have decided that is just not how we want the show run.  We want an environment that works for the live listener and also someone coming back for archives.  To achieve these goals, we have partnered with BlogTalk Radio to give you the best internet radio experience possible.  

One of the benefits of our new home is that there is a permanent call-in number for listeners to ask a question on the air.  Another advantage is the ability to have guests on the show who live in different cities.  We are also working on one more bonus we think you will really like - you will eventually be able to download episodes as podcasts through iTunes.  We feel like these will greatly increase your enjoyment of the show, as well as, make it easier to access.

 

In order to make it possible for us to continue to bring this show to you, we are asking for your assistance.  A $5 contribution by each listener will help offset the charges incurred for hosting The Gnomes Home radio through BlogTalkRadio.  We will make the radio show available to you as long as it is financially viable for us.  We depend on you, the Waldorf community, for support and in return we give back with services such as this, blogging, video tutorials, webinars, and an online forum.  We want Waldorf homeschooling to be accessible to everyone.  Please let us know if you have a request for a show topic.

You can make a donation to the Gnomes Home Radio by visiting our store.

Additionally, to offset the cost of utilizing the site for our station we will be accepting sponsorships from businesses or community groups.  We are offering 10 introductory spots at $10 each.  After that, the cost will be $25 per sponsorship slot.  One paid sponsorship spot entitles your business or group to two "commercials" per show, as well as, a linked listing at the Gnomes Home Radio station on Blog Talk Radio and our radio show blog.  Sponsors which are relevant to the theme of a show will be given priority. You can purchase the sponsorships from our store as well.

To celebrate our new home, we will be loading some of our favorite shows this weekend.  You can log in Saturday beginning at 10am MST to listen to shows and view the scheduled line up.  You will also be able to download them to your computer and listen to them at your leisure.  On Monday, September 7th, we'll broadcast our first show from our new home.  The topic is "The First Weeks of School."  Don't forget our book study on "Rhythms of Learning" by Roberto Trostli.  We'll be chatting about chapter  4 in the second part of Monday's show.  Be sure to tune in Monday morning at 6 am MST.  You will need to sign up for an account with Blog Talk Radio to access the show and all of it's features like live chat and calling in.  

Bookmark our new station page at:

www.blogtalkradio.com/alittlegardenflower

Access to the Gnomes Home archives will change as we move to our new home.  At any given time, there will be several recent shows available for download at the Gnomes Home Radio station.  All other episodes will be available for download for $2.  You can visit our store to purchase the shows and a link will be sent for you to then download them.  They will be available in mp3 format.

Be sure to visit Blog Talk Radio this weekend to get registered so you are able to listen on Monday!  Just go to their website and sign up for an account, it is free.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com

We look forward to sharing this new route on the journey with you!

Blessings,

Melisa & Erik Nielsen

Owners, A Little Garden Flower & Gnomes Home Radio

www.ALittleGardenFlower.com

For the past few months, we have been working on a solution for The Gnomes Home radio that is both user-friendly and family-friendly.  To keep the radio show free for listeners, we have tested out a few different sites but in doing so we had to compromise on standards.  We have decided that is just not how we want the show run.  We want an environment that works for the live listener and also someone coming back for archives.  To achieve these goals, we have partnered with BlogTalk Radio to give you the best internet radio experience possible.  

One of the benefits of our new home is that there is a permanent call-in number for listeners to ask a question on the air.  Another advantage is the ability to have guests on the show who live in different cities.  We are also working on one more bonus we think you will really like - you will eventually be able to download episodes as podcasts through iTunes.  We feel like these will greatly increase your enjoyment of the show, as well as, make it easier to access.

 

In order to make it possible for us to continue to bring this show to you, we are asking for your assistance.  A $5 contribution by each listener will help offset the charges incurred for hosting The Gnomes Home radio through BlogTalkRadio.  We will make the radio show available to you as long as it is financially viable for us.  We depend on you, the Waldorf community, for support and in return we give back with services such as this, blogging, video tutorials, webinars, and an online forum.  We want Waldorf homeschooling to be accessible to everyone.  Please let us know if you have a request for a show topic.

You can make a donation to the Gnomes Home Radio by visiting our store.

Additionally, to offset the cost of utilizing the site for our station we will be accepting sponsorships from businesses or community groups.  We are offering 10 introductory spots at $10 each.  After that, the cost will be $25 per sponsorship slot.  One paid sponsorship spot entitles your business or group to two "commercials" per show, as well as, a linked listing at the Gnomes Home Radio station on Blog Talk Radio and our radio show blog.  Sponsors which are relevant to the theme of a show will be given priority. You can purchase the sponsorships from our store as well.

To celebrate our new home, we will be loading some of our favorite shows this weekend.  You can log in Saturday beginning at 10am MST to listen to shows and view the scheduled line up.  You will also be able to download them to your computer and listen to them at your leisure.  On Monday, September 7th, we'll broadcast our first show from our new home.  The topic is "The First Weeks of School."  Don't forget our book study on "Rhythms of Learning" by Roberto Trostli.  We'll be chatting about chapter  4 in the second part of Monday's show.  Be sure to tune in Monday morning at 6 am MST.  You will need to sign up for an account with Blog Talk Radio to access the show and all of it's features like live chat and calling in.  

Bookmark our new station page at:

www.blogtalkradio.com/alittlegardenflower

Access to the Gnomes Home archives will change as we move to our new home.  At any given time, there will be several recent shows available for download at the Gnomes Home Radio station.  All other episodes will be available for download for $2.  You can visit our store to purchase the shows and a link will be sent for you to then download them.  They will be available in mp3 format.

Be sure to visit Blog Talk Radio this weekend to get registered so you are able to listen on Monday!  Just go to their website and sign up for an account, it is free.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com

We look forward to sharing this new route on the journey with you!

Blessings,

Melisa & Erik Nielsen

Owners, A Little Garden Flower & Gnomes Home Radio

www.ALittleGardenFlower.com

Is it Waldorf?

Now that title might make you think that this will be a terribly dogmatic post about being a Waldorf purist - nope.  This post is more about what Waldorf means to you.  It is easy to get caught up in the material side of Waldorf (pretty toys, etc.) and then question "is this Waldorf?" but today I want you to ponder the REAL parts of Waldorf.  I know I've talked about this before in other posts, but it comes to a head during this time of planning for the new school year.  As we are gathering resources, we must ask ourselves, "is this Waldorf?" Why?  Well take a minute to think about why you are on this path, following this method - remember that this method is different from any other because of Steiner's developmental indications.  While many are attracted to Waldorf because of the nature side of things - the pretty toys - the fairies... but it is so much more.  Waldorf can easily be summed up as "developmentally appropriate learning".  So as you are going about resources to use in your school year, make sure you are picking ones that developmentally speak to your child - realizing that at home some things can be different but in general you keep the child developmentally on the scale that Steiner laid forth.  If you wonder what that scale says, you can always look at our chart . If you come across a resource that is claiming to be Waldorf, study it out, it may be a great resource but not be really Waldorf oriented and not appropriate for your child's age, you can always book mark it and tuck it away for later.  Don't be in a hurry.  Also be sure to read the fine print - remember that Waldorf is a way of life and a way of thinking when it comes to developmental readiness - so if you are looking at a resource that also claims to be eclectic, Montessori, Charlotte Mason or any other method (all wonderful but not always developmentally appropriate as per Steiner) - then make sure you take time to ponder - again, think it through... is this right for your child?

In closing, one thing I really want to impart to you as you are planning your school year is that this method is for YOU as much as it is for the child.  As much as you want Waldorf for what it will do for them, it has to work magic on you first, it has to get you in touch with your inner self and awaken (or strengthen) your connection with the Divine - it can only do that through careful study.  Please listen to this week's radio show on planning (when you click on this, it will begin to load so give it a minute, otherwise right-click and save it to your computer.)

Join us again next Monday for another show on planning, part 2. 

Many blessings!

Our Ebook Sampler

Hi all!  I was trying to think of what to spotlight today in our market.  I have spent time meditating on the needs of our customers (both present and future) – one thing that keeps coming to mind is cost.  I get several emails a week from families we work with appreciating that we have a lower cost ebook option for our curriculum.  Many people don’t realize that our ebooks are just like our hard copy books only they are electronic so while saving on printing costs they are also very eco friendly.

 

The wheels of change are starting to move but I am still hearing tales of lay offs, foreclosures and hour reductions.  We want to make sure that you never have to make a choice between curriculum and eating!  And I also don’t ever want families to have to make choices between buying new supplies or not because they have to spend a lot on curriculum.  We aim to make our product very complete with day by day schedules through the grades and plenty of support for both the new Waldorf parent and the seasoned one as well.

 

We have some great options for families that are teaching several grades – our best option is our Ebook Sampler.  The Sampleris chock full of great tools for your journey including: ebook copies of all our books – “Before the Journey” through “A Journey… Grade 6,”  “A Journey through Waldorf Math,”  also a link to our day planner (great to get started on your planning!) – the bonus with the sampler is that you also get a link to our audio series, you can load them to your MP3 player or burn them to a disc, either way you can maximize your study time as a busy mom.  This sampler is well priced at $175 – now that is cheaper than many companies charge for just one year!  Remember you always have free access to support through our egroup, main lesson blog, our You Tube channel and our radio show as well.

Celebrate handwork!

We decided that June would be handwork month at A Little Garden Flower so we are doing some FUN stuff!  First, hop over to the The Gnomes Home and download last week's radio show and see the free pattern for a knitted gnome.  We also decided that June would kick off our new handwork products!  We are so proud to carry Peace Fleece products in our store.

Who is Peace Fleece?
Peace Fleece is a wonderful company dedicated to helping the world be a better place.  Their wool and supplies come from  Russian, Romanian, American, Israeli and Palestinian villages, cities and farms.

I love the motto from their website “A yarn company committed to helping historic enemies cooperate and prosper through trade.”  When I came across Peace Fleece (in a Waldorf shop in California) and I began to learn about them, I realized that this simple motto was just what we are trying to impart to our children with this method of education.  We are bringing up our children to be of this world but not worldly.  We are drawing forth from them what they already know – to help one another is to make the world a better place.  I can’t think of a better way (unless you are making your own!) to bring handwork into your home, your school and your community. 

We will be running a pre-order this week and then the store will be stocked. 

Blessings!

May 18th Radio Show

For those following our radio shows, our show from last week is up.

http://waldorfjourney.typepad.com/the_gnomes_home/2009/05/may-18th-show.html

We are skipping Memorial Day (May 25th) but will be back with a June full of Handwork!  We decided to review the book "Handwork Indications" by Rudolf Steiner the link goes to an ebook version of the book.  Each week we will discuss a portion of the book and also talk directly about handwork for the grades and ideas for handwork at home.  I have long found that working on handwork projects in a home environment can be much different than they would be in school - our children have much more time to dedicate to projects since they often get to them daily rather than a few times a week.  We'll talk about how you can work on handwork without feeling guilt for what you don't know.  I will also work to have a new pattern each week to share!  I hope you will join us!

Also, don't forget we are still working the last 30 minutes of each show on the book "Rhythms of Learning" - we have been working through a chapter each week and I welcome any thoughts or notes you might want to add.

The show airs weekly (generally) on Mondays at 6am mountain time.  The next show is June 1st.  Instructions for catching the show can be found here.