Jack and the Beanstalk

We are moving right along through the letter. Today was "J". The girls just loved this story! I thought they may be bored, as they have heard it a few time before, but no. I see them really hearing the sounds from this and other letters. As they speak, they say "That begins with J" I think it is working! *wink*

Here we painted a beanstalk shaped like a "j"

This other chalk drawing was from last week. It is "Mother Holle". H.

How is everyone else doing on their Fairy Tales and First Grade letters?
I would love to hear from you.

Painting Tips

Painting intimidated me... I was unsure how to do the wet-on-wet painting, the set-up and everything!

Someone finally told me to mix the paints up ahead of time and store in fridge! (you don't have to do this but I like it, saves time and my paint dried up before) I just pour into small jars what we need and if I have extra leftover, I pour it back into large jars- no waste!

I have a large tub that I fill with water. The girls dunk their paper into it and let it drip off before placing onto the art board. **Then they sponge off the access water and smooth wrinkles.**

I also have them use the sponge to remove access paint on brushes. Then we relax and have fun mixing colors and creating beautiful paintings.

Next Letter- V

We continued our container story and I told the "Valley of the Weavers". The girls practiced their form again and we talked about V. Then we used our block crayons and drew from the story. I love all this drawing! It really gives me a creative outlet. Second week is settling nicely and I feel a flow forming. Yeah!

Letter "M"

This morning we discussed the letter M. I told the container story and then the Princess and the Glass Mountain. I really followed the great suggestion of reading that story 3 nights in a row. I couldn't believe how much I absorbed and was able to re-tell to them. It was a treat to watch their eyes and facial expression while I was telling.

I had the blackboard drawing ready this morning. The girls drew the new form and then did capital and lowercase M. Then they drew from the story in their main lesson books. We talked of other words that begin with M.

What fun! I can't wait to see what they will re-tell tomorrow.

Beeswax Forms

This morning I told a folk tale while the girls warmed the beeswax in their hands. Then we all shaped it into our forms for the week. I used the plant dyed beeswax from A Little Garden Flower It is fantastic! We haven't done much with the beeswax in the past, but this has changed my mind. More creations to come...

First Day

Each year we begin our first day
with a special breakfast cooked

by daddy!

Then, when all is cleared and the teacher is ready, daddy walks the girls out the side door up to the front door of our "school". He rings the bell and introduces the girls to their teacher! They love this! We take a picture and then move to the schoolroom and start our year.

It all went smoothly..new circle time songs and verses, introducing the recorder, note "B", and then on to Main Lesson! We did forms with our finger in air and drawn on our backs and then in the Main Lesson books. I told the first part of the container story from A Journey First Grade curriculum

and the girls drew what I had on the blackboard. By then it was snack time, so it worked out great!

After, we took up our handwork project of the week- our felt playmat! I will be posting this soon :) Can't wait until tomorrow...

Ready, set?

Tomorrow is our first day, so I am finalizing things, reading this week's story (again) and creating the chalkboard drawing. I also put the Form drawings on the other chalkboard.










I laid out all the supplies, candles, recorders, main lesson books. Now off to bed!

Spider

A giant argiope spider has made a web in our backyard! I saw the tiny male off to the side, but is impossible to see in this picture. I attached another better example as mine was very hard to photo due to background. It is a bit creepy when you come upon one of these, but they are harmless and very interesting to watch.

Violin Lesson

Yesterday was Brooke's first official violin lesson. She spent the whole last year on a sofa watching her sister learn cello. The have a wonderful teacher who uses the Suzuki method. She decided at the end of the year she wanted to play the violin, so the teacher let her hold one and play a bit, to really get the feel of it. All summer she has not wavered, even when tempted with ballet or gymnastics, she knows what she wants, my little choleric wonder.

This morning the two of them set up there music station and played a duet for us. It was most amazing and all I could picture was the two of them playing Carnegie Hall one day! Oh, a mother's dream....

Coloring with our Feet!

I am not sure how our conversation evolved into "Mom, can you draw with your feet?" but...it was a great Sunday afternoon activity. There was laughing and dropping crayons and giggling and exclaiming, "Eeeww,, mine is weird!" But, the second try drawings somewhat resembled what they were actually trying to draw. Great for First Graders. We may expand this to painting when I am feeling especially brave. :)

I recommend this highly!

First Grade Planner

The past few weeks I have been scouring around for the "perfect" planner for our Waldorf First Grade. I checked the homeschool planners, teacher planners and regular calendars. None worked for me. So, being the anal chloeric that I am, decided to create my own. *wink*

It is really nothing earth shattering, but has what I need. I did something similar last year for Kindy. I just fill in the date beside the day of the week and has plenty of room for notes. The best part is that if I need to add or delete a column, I can!! If anyone wants it, I will email you the file in excel format. I can also email my Kindy one, just let me know.

I just took a small 3-ring binder and slipped in a watercolor painting for the front. Then I have it with days of the week Mon-Wed on the left and Thur-Fri-Notes on the right sheet. I use the pockets for other notes and verses.
I know it is a bit blurry, but it says Main Lesson, Circle/games,Handwork, Nakng, Music, Spanish, Social Studies, and Notes.

Homeschool Planning

I have been gathering all my books and supplies the last few weeks. It has started to look like a Waldorf store in here! I am planning First grade for my twin girls.. It is the first "real" year, since Waldorf Education really begins in First Grade. We have been doing basic rhythms and circle time, handcrafts and stories the last 3 years to establish a gentle flow.

For me, planning becomes an important part. In the past, when I had a basic outline with supplies ready -it all went smoothly. The time I thought I could wing it, not so smooth. So, this year I am determined to plan through the end of the school year even if we don't follow exactly.

Any tips on planning or ideas you have are welcome!

Here is a link to wonderful planning audios & other info. Waldorf Planning

Block Crayon Practice

I recently watched the Block Crayon DVD's by Sigi( link here ).I finally figured out what to do with those crayons.. I practiced a bit while I watched her draw . Today I tried it out with my girls. We read "Little Red Riding Hood" and we drew a picture from the story. This is mine....

Here are my 6 1/2 year old twins drawings...

I know I have a ways to go, but I am very happy with the results so far! I am getting excited about starting First Grade.

It was the first time they, too have used them "correctly" and it took a bit of coaxing and gentle showing, but they were pleases. And Daddy guessed what story we read!

Making Knitting Needles

I knew the girls would be learning to knit with two needles this year (1st grade) I was going to buy some, but I saw a pattern to make them! It was really easy and fun. This will take the better part of a morning to do so allow time or do in stages.

I got a 3/4" dowel and some dowel caps (have holes to fit dowel) You may go s bit smaller. We measured and sawed off how long we wanted them to be..I just eyed up and made them about 7" before the caps.

Then the fun began! What to paint on the caps?! Everyone designed their own unique ones and we made a few extra pair for gifts.

While the paint was drying, the sanding started. Even with very coarse sandpaper it did take a bit to get them going. Brooke found out if you laid the paper down and held the dowel and "scrubbed" it , it worked! Once the first one was done, they tired a bit, so I cheated and brought out the sander. I held it while they twisted their dowels into needles. After, they used fine sandpaper to smooth it all out.

The other end of the dowel had to be lightly sanded to fit the cap. Then we glued the caps on and let them dry.

Later, I sprayed the painted tops with glossy lacquer to protect and make them shiny. I also found some wood wax I use on my table and rubbed on the needles to make a beautiful color and finish! I think they came out great!

We may have to sand them pointier when its time to knit...