Your Child and Tests

Posted by Donna Simmons

The Christopherus curriculum definitely includes tests–but the right tests, given in the right way at the right time. Listen here for a discussion of this topic plus what to do if tests are required where you live. Here is the…

Empathy and the teen

Posted by Donna Simmons

Just going through old blog posts and deleting dated or no longer relevant posts…and stumbled upon this goodie. I read it and was pleased to see that I still agree with what I originally wrote below! The following is an…

Transitioning to High School

Posted by Donna Simmons

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…

What is the Fate of the Next Generation?

Posted by Donna Simmons

Here's a sobering article from the New York Times about our new generation of tech and media junkies. Why is this so surprising to so many people? I suppose the faint silver glimmer in this very dark cloud is that…

Follow Up to Teens and Texting

Posted by Donna Simmons

Thank you to all who responded to my earlier blog on Teens and Texting. I think this is a huge topic – one which I will return to again and again. And if you haven’t responded to my original blog…

Empathy and Adolescents

Posted by Donna Simmons

The following is an excerpt from the magnificent book Loving the Stranger: Studies in Adolescence, Empathy and the Human Heart edited by Michael Luxford. This book comes out of the work of the Camphill Communities (curative communties where people of…

A Home For Teens

Posted by Donna Simmons

Having started a conversation her on my blog about the importance of being at home with ones little children (see Early Years Rant), I am now going to throw a another gauntlet down: this one has to do with teens…

Handwork and Crafts with Older Children

Posted by Donna Simmons

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…

Friendly Teens

Posted by Donna Simmons

It always amazes me – and saddens me – when I hear about or read about parents who have no idea who their teens are, who cannot communicate with them or who are at a loss as to how to…

Working Together

Posted by Donna Simmons

My son Gabriel and I have been busy these past few weeks creating a new unit study publication for sale – this one is on the Middle Ages and follows on from the Roman History unit study we already have….

Maturation of Thought

Posted by Donna Simmons

One of the exciting things about teaching at the Waldorf high school here in town is the opportunity to work with mixed age classes and to observe the differences between the students not only as individuals, but as young people…

Keeping One Step Ahead

Posted by Donna Simmons

This article first appeared in the Homeschool Journey newsletter, April 2005 One of the new and exciting challenges of living in town (as opposed to our former life on our farm) is the phenomena of friends. It seems obvious and…

Extending Play

Posted by Donna Simmons

This article first appeared in the Homeschool Journey newsletter, February 2004 Some of the most joyful moments I have  had as a homeschooling mom have come during our occasional ‘Boy Days’, days when my sons invite their friends over, en…