Earth Science – A Preview

Posted by Donna Simmons

  by Donna Simmons The following are a few excerpts from the Teacher’s Guide to the earth science component of our Christopherus Science Course for Students 12 – 14. Earth Science will be available for purchase in the Fall, and…

The Christopherus Geography Curriculum

Posted by Donna Simmons

by Donna Simmons   From one point of view, you could say that a study of geography is the heart of the Waldorf curriculum—it is the discipline that connects and enlivens much of the rest of the curriculum. History, science…

Christopherus’ Middle Grade Science Curriculum — Coming this fall…

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons I am now in full spate, joyfully writing several science publications for the middle grades. I am very excited about all of this—I had wanted to create science publications for a long time but it seems that…

Physics – The Science Curriculum for the Middle Grades Begins

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons One of the reasons why it has taken me so, so long to write middle grades science resources is because I have had to work really hard to understand science in a living way and not merely…

Why do Calligraphy?

Posted by Christopherus

by Barbara Benson Sometime early in my homeschooling, a Waldorf resource mentioned doing calligraphy in 6th and continuing through 8th as both an art form and a lovely embellishment for main lesson books, particularly in history. Over the years, I…

Creative Writing in 7th Grade

Posted by Christopherus

by Barbara Benson   In A Rough Guide to Seventh Grade, Donna has this to say about a main lesson unit in Waldorf schools called Wish, Wonder and Surprise: “We have not scheduled this as a main lesson because I…

A Mathematics Main Lesson: Geometry in Man and Nature (7th and 8th)

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson The  primary reference text recommended in A Rough Guide for Seventh Grade  is Mathematics Around Us. The primary text for Eighth Grade is Mathematics  in Nature, Space and Time. These are both great books with wonderful illustrations….

Coping with Chemistry-7th Grade

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson In Donna’s From Nature Stories to Natural Science (104-106), she suggests organizing the Chemistry main lesson for grade 7 around the traditional elements of Fire, Water Earth and Air, with Fire (combustion) being the natural starting point.  Since…

Highlights and Challenges of 7th Grade: Geography ( Focus on Africa)

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson   In Donna’s  A Rough Guide to Seventh Grade, she states that” this year’s focus is on Latin America, Asia and Africa.” (12). That is a lot of geographical ground to cover! There is also an emphasis…

Classical Physics

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons For science this semester, we are focusing mainly on physics. For a number of years I have been aware of the Teaching Company, an organization which produces lecture series on every topic imaginable, delivered by hand-picked college…

Managing Main Lessons with Multiples: 5th and 7th grade combined unit on China

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson There are times in the main lessons scheduled throughout the grades when combining a main lesson for multiple ages is actually ideal. One of these times is the unit study on Ancient China, highlighted in the Fifth…

A Challenge of Seventh Grade: A Physiology Unit on Human Sexuality

Posted by Christopherus

My last blog covered a general overview of the free rough guides available for the middle school years with a focus on highlights and challenges of Sixth grade. In this blog I would like to discuss one possible way to…

The Child and the Community

Posted by Christopherus

Here is an article by Christopherus forum moderator, workshop presenter and consultant Barbara Benson about her experience as a homeschooler encouraging her older children to expand their horizons into the larger community, something that anyone homeschooling older children must do. While over…

Help with Physics – Middle Years and High School

Posted by Christopherus

I know it’s only April, but if you’re like me, you’re already thinking about next year’s homeschooling adventures! And judging by the number of first grade syllabuses and other things we’re selling at the moment, there are a lot of…

Upper Grades Chemistry

Posted by Christopherus

Working with a Waldorf approach to science in the home is extremely difficult. A Goethean approach, one which is empirical, holistic and creative, can be very frustrating to achieve as soon as one leaves the natural sciences behind. And chemistry…

Handwork and Crafts with Older Children

Posted by Christopherus

It seems that everywhere one looks there are wonderful on-line stores and home businesses selling all manner of lovely craft items for children – young children. I can’t think why, but there is a distinct lack of craft kits and…