Seeds of Change...

It's planting time again!  We are very excited about our garden this year.  Each time we learn more about how to make things work better.  We planted some "Dills Atlantic Giant Pumpkins" that should produce some mammoth sized pumpkins.  We have also planted some flats of tomatoes (that you are welcome to take home once they are transplanted by the children and I)...flowers...and plenty of other plant treats!

If you are looking to purchase seed for gardening...I wanted to let you know about "Seeds of Change".  That is where most of our seed comes from.  They have a donation program each year that we participate in where we can purchase a small box of last years seed for a minimal shipping fee...because we have a school.  They have really helped us out to be able to plant more than we would without their generosity.

They offer organic...open-pollenated seed at great prices.  I love to just sit and drool over all of the wonderful plants they offer in their seed catalog!  They offer friendly support...and will answer any questions you have.  A great place to purchase your seed.

Better Sun Hats...

Suddenly...the sun is in the sky.  Time to put away our beanies and pull out our brimmed sun hats!  Over the years that we have done preschool...I have seen lot's of sun hats on children.  

Some hats that are too small and give them headaches or easily fall off.  

I've seen hats that are so big that they constantly impede the child's play by falling in their eyes...or fall off every time they bend over.  

Hats that are so thick that the child pleads with me that they can take it off as sweat streams down their face.  

Hats with tiny brims that don't actually protect them from the sun...or protect just one side like a baseball cap.

And of course good hats too!

Here is what to look for in a hat...

1. A large brim.

2.  Lightweight material.

3.  A good fit.  It's nice to find one that is adjustable to fit properly.

If I were to choose one hat for all of the children to wear...it would be something like this one.  It's mesh sides breathe well...it stays on and even has a strap that can ensure it does...offers great sun protection with it's large brim and flap back...and offers great peripheral vision!  A PERFECT HAT!!  You might consider such a hat for your child this season...:)

5 Little Ducks...

One thing that you will find as you learn childrens songs...is that there are many...many...many different versions!  In the Waldorf world...many of the songs that are sung aren't actually written down...they are just passed down orally from teacher to teacher.  It is interesting to go for training and learn how many ways ONE song is done by different teachers...with different movements...tunes...and words.

Right now as a part of our circle we are doing the children's classic "5 Little Ducks".  

Our lyrics go like this...

"5 little ducks went out one day...over the hills and far away

Mother duck called quack...quack...quack...quack...

and 4 little ducks came running back..."

Then it counts down to zero and we say...

"1 little duck went out one day...over the hills and far away

Mother duck called quack...quack...quack...quack...

and no little ducks came running back..."

"Then the father duck called...

(in a deep voice)

"QUACK QUACK QUACK!!"

(we clap our hands)

"and all 5 ducks came running back.

We do two versions of our movements.  One where we are sitting and doing hand motions...and one where the children run away...and then run back.  They LOVE it!!

Here is a video on youtube that is probably the closest to our version.  Interestingly enough it is the Wiggles!  Very mainstream and not real Waldorf!

Johnny Appleseed...

While the story of the John Chapman has largely been romanticized...I love the idea of a man who traveled...planting food for others to enjoy.  His is a story that speaks to a philanthropy that is not merely giving money...but giving time and effort to seek the good of mankind...even if you may never see the fruits of your labors.

The children quickly identify with this character.  They carefully collect the seeds out of whatever fruit we are eating...and exclaim "I'm going to grow a fruit tree!"  They tuck their seeds in their pockets...and then find the perfect spot to plant them.  (Generally right in a pathway!)

As a part of our circle this month...we are singing the "Johnny Appleseed Song".  It is a traditional song in the US.  It has long been used as a table grace.

These are the lyrics...


Oh, the Lord's been good to me.
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun, the rain and the appleseed;
Oh, the Lord's been good to me.


Oh, and every seed I sow
Will grow into a tree.
And someday there'll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share. 

Oh, the Lord is good to me.
Oh, here I am 'neath the blue, blue sky
Doing as I please.
Singing with my feathered friends
Humming with the bees.


I wake up every day,
As happy as can be,
Because I know that with His care
My apple trees, they will still be there.
The Lord's been good to me.

Here is a video with the tune...but with different lyrics.

I have thought of him when I see old apple tree's growing out on untended land...and wonder if he had anything to do with it!  Perhaps your children will too!

Story Time...

During freeplay today a child decided that it was time for "Story Time". With the help of two other girls her landscape was set. The puppeteers announced to the other children that the show was about to start. They quickly stopped what they were doing and sat down quietly to get ready for a story.

She sat down a glockenspiel...perfectly dinged out each note (the same as her teacher)...and then recited the entire opening sequence that her teacher does during storytime (I was too late to record it). Here is the text...

Quiet as a butterflies wings

Quiet as a snowflake falling

Quiet as the light of a butterfly

Quiet as a seed beginning to grow

(Sung) Quiet...quiet...make not any noise.

Listen...listen...to the holy voice.

Wonder is now coming near...as we still ourselves to hear

Quiet...quiet...make not any noise.

She then embarked on a story that went on for some 25 minutes!! The audience...mostly age 3...sat perfectly still and listened until she was done! The story was serious...had adventure...and lots and lots of humor.

I hope that everyone can grasp how remarkable this "Story Time" is that happens on a regular basis at our home. I think it is a blaring example of how Waldorf education excels. This was not instigated by the adults in any way. We did not preach to them about how they should do a puppet play...what the story should be about...or that they should sit still. We simply do our best to repeatedly model good behavior...and they follow because they want to.

They are learning that there is a time to play...a time to work...and a time to be still and concentrate...Wonderful!

Plasma Car...

After the kids are released from snack...they race to get a "car" to ride. The most coveted cars are the "Plasma cars" pictured to the right. We just added a new yellow one to the fleet...thanks to Leah receiving one for Christmas!

We like the Plasma Car because...

1. All ages enjoy it. A child old enough to sit down and hold on...up to a pretty heavy adult can ride the plasma car! After the preschoolers leave...our older children come home ride it around.

2. They are sturdy. We leave them outside. While they have faded...they are still in good shape. It would surely last a lot longer if it was stored in between usage...or was entirely an inside rider (if you have the space!)

3. They are pretty good exercise...and they require some balance. They teach a young child the basics of steering and motion.

4. They are stable...and the child is close to the ground so if they were ever to fall...it would be a minor spill.

They go for around $50 or so and are worth every penny. We have purchased bicycles for quite a bit more that just ended up rusting and being a waste of money. These see use and abuse every single day and keep on truckin'.

There are several knock-off brands out there. We purchased one and it wasn't made nearly as well...but still works fine.

You might consider this for a future present for your child. The both of you will not be disappointed!

Is More School Better?

Schools across the nation are trying to figure out how they are going to be able to stay open. Daily the news tells the stories of districts sending out mass pink slips to their teachers...of schools getting rid of things like their art classes and sports programs and cutting their custodial crews...and of other ways that they are drastically cutting back on their expenses.

Earlier this year Arnold Schwarzenegger...looking for ways to cut expenses for the state proposed having 5 fewer school days each year.

In direct contrast to that statement Barak Obama and his Education Secretary are publicly advocating that the US have more school days per year...and longer days. Their statements do not mention any legislation towards that end...just that it is what they want to have happen.

So does it sound like a good idea to you? Here is an article discussing some of the pro's and con's. Personally I do not want more school. I want higher quality schooling...and stronger families to support that education. Frankly...I also want the disbanding of the board of education and the federal governments role in our children's education.

A fair question ask is..."If we can't afford to run our schools right now on the days and hours that we currently do...how will we afford it if we increase the days and hours?" It is like a family that is deeply in debt...on the verge of bankruptcy...about to be on the street...planning on how they can spend more money on shoes. While shoes are important...if you have no money to buy them...you may have to make do with what you've got...or take money from another expense to pay for the shoes.

Anyways...this is an issue that we need to decide where we stand on it...so that if it tries to become a law...we can make our voices heard.