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…

Keep Calm and Homeschool On

Posted by Christopherus

by Barbara Benson Guidelines for homeschooling multiple ages of children   One of the most frequently asked consulting questions I receive is how to homeschool multiple ages of children and keep one’s sanity! It is a challenge and I remember…

Reflections on Creating a 12th grade World Literature course

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson I have finally reached that “last class” as a homeschooling educator. My youngest is entering her homeschooling senior year in high school in the fall. I am truly her specialist teacher now as most of her classes…

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…

A Freshman to Senior Timeline for High School Homeschoolers interested in College

Posted by Christopherus

by Barbara Benson, mother of 5 children, all homeschooled with Christopherus and other materials through high school I realize that there are few of you homeschoolers that are currently teaching high school, but since it is very much on my…

Rhythms of Learning

Posted by Christopherus

In Waldorf inspired homeschooling we talk about establishing a good daily weekly, monthly and seasonal rhythm. What do we really mean when we say rhythm? In Donna’s Waldorf Curriculum Overview, Chapter 7, she discusses the daily rhythm of ” active…

Working Moms and Homeschooling

Posted by Christopherus

  In truth, every mom is a working mom. The job of taking care of a family is a large one. For those of us who add on paid employment, either outside the home or at home, the task of…

Transitioning from School to Homeschooling

Posted by Christopherus

Taking your child out of public school or a private school in order to homeschool is a major life decision for the family. In my experience as a consultant, this decision can often occur in early elementary, middle school, or…

TAKING STOCK- A Midwinter Evaluation of Your Homeschooling

Posted by Christopherus

January or early February is a good time of year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere to take stock of where we are with our homeschooling. Here are a few suggestions to keep your homeschooling rhythm on track:…

Tone Drawing

Posted by Christopherus

TONE DRAWING for 4th and 5th grade Tone drawing was a favorite artistic activity of all of my children. I incorporated it into our natural science work ( Man and Animal/Zoology and Botany) in 4th and 5th grades. My inspiration…

Managing Multiple Main Lessons

Posted by Christopherus

(written by Barbara Benson) It takes organization, dedication and some flexibility to homeschool multiple children. The simple fact is that you are not going to be able to follow each syllabus thoroughly with each child. As a parent of five…

Transitioning to High School

Posted by Christopherus

The following was written by Barbara Benson, mother of 5 children, all homeschooled with Christopherus and other materials through high school. The Waldorf inspired curriculum at Christopherus is largely focused on grades 1-8, those years when a homeschooling parent is…

Role of Non-Teaching Spouse

Posted by Christopherus

  Many couples that do Waldorf inspired homeschooling share similar values on education and adopting a Waldorf inspired rhythm to homeschooling. There are times, however, when one person "discovers" Waldorf and is determined to augment it into the family lifestyle,…

The Rhythms of Reverence in Homeschooling Daily Life

Posted by Christopherus

By Barbara Benson The Rhythms of Reverence in Homeschooling Daily Life Why is it important to instill a sense of reverence into our homeschooling daily life?  Reverence is a fundamental ” mood of the soul”, a sense of love and…

Recentering During Chaotic Moments

Posted by Christopherus

My twins are grown now but I still recall that endless early evening hour struggle between 5 and 6 pm when I was prone to lose my parenting patience with my three boys who were all under 6 years old….

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…