A Waldorf Journey Podcast

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**A Waldorf Journey Podcast**

A Waldorf Journey is a blog and podcast started by a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher who is passionate about sharing what she has learned on the journey. Stay tuned for interviews, resource recommendations, tips and suggestions for making your Waldorf journey an incredible, life-giving experience.

Latest Episodes:

Waldorf Literacy, an interview with Janet Langley, author of Roadmap to Literacy Jan 01, 2019

Show notes

Ways to support the podcast . . .

a donation through Patreon
purchasing one of my curriculum guides
clicking one of the Amazon affiliate linkson my site.

Here are links to some of the things mentioned in this podcast.

Waldorf Inspirations-- the amazing Waldorf teacher resource site developed and maintained by Janet and her partner Patty Connelly
Information page about Roadmap to Literacy on the Waldorf Inspirations site-- including the table of contents and sample pages.
To order the book from Rudolf Steiner College Bookstore.

As I mention in the podcast, this is a book you'll want to have. It lays out the language arts curriculum for the first three grades, saving the trouble so many Waldorf teachers have had in the past, reinventing the wheel and "Waldorf-izing" mainstream resources.

Janet has been kind enough to share a free downloadable resource with A Waldorf Journey listeners -- a main lesson planning template. click over to the blog post that goes along with this episode to get the download.

A Waldorf Approach to Music, an interview with Jenna Dalton | Episode #32 Sep 16, 2018

Show notes

In this episode I interview a former colleague, Jenna Dalton. Jenna has a completely joyful and inspired approach to music and sharing it with children. If you're wondering about how to go about fostering a healthy, joyful and inspired relationship to music for your children, Jenna is a great resource.

If you'd like to learn more about Jenna and the work that she's doing, you can reach out to her at her website Love, Music and Spirit. She offers consultation to parents and teachers who are looking for ways to bring music to their students. As you'll hear on this podcast, she's a delight to work with.

Professional Development for Waldorf Teachers | Episode #31 Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Information about my fall group coaching program.

Support through my Patreon page.

Or by clicking one of my Amazon Affiliate links.

Professional Development for Waldorf Teachers

Choosing your professional development based on theory or approach that inspires you. Examples:

Waldorf-specific
Responsive Classroom
Orton-Gillingham

Choosing your professional development based on subject matter. Examples:

Classroom management
Reading instruction
Math instruction
Assessment
Parent work

No matter what kind of professional development you choose, you'll experience some benefits.

Connecting with other teachers
Re-inspire your work
Find new ways of thinking about the work you do
Learn strategies and techniques that are directly applicable in the classroom.

How to decide what to do. At the beginning of the year outline goals and choose professional development accordingly. Determine your strengths and challenges as a teacher and face the real facts of the aspects of your teaching that you think really needs the most growth. This can be challenging to face, but our work and our students benefit from this kind of honest look at our own work. This is what it means to be a striving Waldorf teacher.

Responsive Classroom in the Waldorf Environment | A Waldorf Journey Podcast #30 Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

Interested in learning more about my fall teacher coaching program? Click here for the details.

Other ways to support . . .

a donation through Patreon
purchasing one of my curriculum guides
clicking one of the Amazon affiliate links below or anywhere on my site.

Responsive Classroom Resources

Teaching Children to Care

The First Six Weeks of School

Responsive Classroom Strategies in this episode

Interactive Modeling

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/what-interactive-modeling/

Morning Meeting

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/category/morning-meeting/

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/what-is-morning-meeting/

The Components of Morning Meeting

Greeting
Sharing
Group Activity
Morning Message

Hopes and Dreams

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/hopes-and-dreams-in-a-primary-classroom/

Thinking, Feeling and Willing in the Classroom | Episode #29 Jul 30, 2018

Show notes

NEW! Fall Teaching Coaching Program

After launching a wonderfully successful summer planning support group, I'm looking to continue the good colleagueship with teacher coaching groups that will rotate all year long.

We'll have different topics and themes to discuss, depending on the different time of year and lots of different ways to work with the content. The 12-week program includes . . .

Weekly goals and inspirations via email
Membership in a private Facebook group
Weekly group coaching calls
2 one-hour individual mentoring sessions
Unlimited email consultation

I envision this group being perfect for new teachers needing mentoring as well as experienced teachers looking to infuse their teaching greater inspiration and intention.

For a list of topics (ranging from classroom management to parent communication to self-care to report-writing) check out the information page.

If you're ready to apply, here's the link to the application. Group size is limited to 30, so I want to make participants are really able to make use of the program.

Ways to Support

Patreon -- Join others and donate simply because you support the work that is going on here. I appreciate it.

Sponsorship -- Do you have a Waldorf business? Get in touch and we can talk about sponsorship opportunities -- on either the blog, podcast or on my email list.

This Week's Content

This week I talk all about thinking, feeling and willing and how they appear in the classroom in the various activities we do. I also share some ideas for how teachers can plan ahead and incorporate various activities into their weekly schedule.

"The human organism, that most complex of all natural organisms, can be described as consisting of three systems, working side by side. To a certain extent each functions separately and independently of the others. One of these consists of the life of the nerves and senses. It may be named, after the part where it is more or less centered, the head organism. Second, comes what we need to recognize as another branch if we really want to understand the human organism, the rhythmic system. This includes the breathing and the circulation of the blood, everything that finds expression in rhythmic processes in the human organism. The third must be recognized as consisting of all those organs that have to do with the actual transformation of matter — the metabolic process. These three systems comprise everything that, duly coordinated, keeps the whole human complex in healthy working order.” -- Rudolf Steiner

What I Learned Teaching First Grade | AWJ Episode #28 Jun 22, 2018

Show notes

Our magical first grade year has come to a close and there are a few things I learned this year.

Things Mentioned in this Episode

My Patreon page

My blog

The curriculum and teaching guides on my blog

A blog post about this topic.

Responsive Classroom's The First Six Weeks of School

Teaching Children to Care

A blog post about getting ready for movable classroom

The Movable Classroom | AWJ Podcast #27 May 13, 2018

Show notes

I intend to write a more thorough summary of my experiences of the movable classroom -- with photos of benches, cushions, and a more how-to approach, but because this is one of the most common questions I get from my readers, I thought I'd start with a podcast episode.

I've included some photos and links below, but hopefully I'll have something more thorough to share eventually. (Definitely click through to the blog post to see this content.)

Ways to Support

Patreon -- Join others and donate simply because you support the work that is going on here. I appreciate it.

Sponsorship -- Do you have a Waldorf business? Get in touch and we can talk about sponsorship opportunities -- on either the blog, podcast or on my email list.

Spring Update

This time of year is all about beginnings and endings!

Endings -- The year is wrapping up and I'm enjoying reflecting on the work we've done. If you're doing that too, and thinking a lot about the end-of-year reports that you'll need to write -- take a look at my 30 Days Till Summer Report Writing Challenge eBook. It'll give you the little extra boost of motivation you need to get those reports written! And I'm offering it at a 20% discount right now -- just a little over $10.

Beginnings -- Summer planning! There's nothing I love more than a new beginning and I just LOVE my summer planning time. (I'm a bit of a nerd that way.) I've thought A LOT about the best way to go about planning and I've put together a course that is all about Waldorf planning. You can check it out here if you want more info.

Also, if you're interested in becoming part of a little mastermind/summer planning support group, send me an email. I'm thinking about how we can support and keep each other accountable with weekly check-ins. I'm super-excited about putting something together, and I'd love to hear it if you are too. Click here to email me.

Movable Classroom Takeaways

Take a listen to the podcast to get a more elaborate description of these things, but for now I'm just copying and pasting my rough notes here. Reach out if you have questions.

Description of the movable classroom set up in my room.

Primary benefit – flexibility. We could move our benches and have a clear open area in less than a minute. Also pushing benches together and working in stations. This lets students chat with each other while they work, which is a skill I want them to learn.
Next – Opportunities for movement – I definitely didn’t make use of all of the possibilities – if you do a search you’ll find suggestions for stacking benches 3 high, piling up the cushions – lots of different things. I played it safe, but still found so many different ways my students could move with their benches. Every day my students stand on, jump off, sit on and write on their benches.
Core strength – most common posture my students use with them benches is sitting on it. Because the bench doesn’t have a back, they must hold themselves up. When we’ve had parent meetings, the parents get tired of sitting on the benches after a little while, but my students are strong and sit up straight.
Think through the different ways your students will interact with their benches and set a framework. The first few weeks of school are about teaching your students the correct postures. Process for handing out cushions, etc.
Don’t worry about the W sit. I did lots of research and found just as much evidence

Top 5 Waldorf Resources | AWJ Podcast #26 Mar 04, 2018

Show notes

Episode #26 – Top 5 Waldorf Resources

Welcome to A Waldorf Journey, a podcast for teachers, parents, students and people who are passionate about Waldorf Education. I’m Meredith and I’m glad you’re here.

You can find shownotes for this episode, along with a lot more useful content on my website, awaldorfjourney.com. While you’re there sign up for the newsletter to receive updates about new content on the blog and podcast.

You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as awaldorfjourney.

Today is Sunday, March 4 and this is episode #25. I’m happy to talk to you today about some of my favorite Waldorf resources. These are the books that I have turned to again and again, gifted to friends and loaned out over and over. If you are a Waldorf teacher or homeschooler or just want to know more about Waldorf education, these are books that you’ll want to have on your shelf.

First thing to mention: If you want to stay up to date with updates on the blog and podcast you can get on my email list by texting the word WALDORF to 444999. You’ll get a message back with an option to enter your email address and get added to the list. I send updates out 3 or 4 times a month, when there is something new on the blog or podcast.

Also, if you’re teaching the lower grades, I’ve got a handy little worksheet that can help you track your students’ progress and development. I’m finding it really useful as I prepare to write end of year reports, which is right around the corner. If you go to http://www.awaldorfjourney.com/skills you’ll find a little form and you can put your email address in and I’ll send it to you.

Ways to Support

There are a few other things you can do to help support the blog and podcast, and one of them is by supporting on Patreon. I’ve linked to it in the show notes.

I think it’s a great little platform where you can simply express your appreciation and support of the podcast with a cash donation. It’s kind of a novel idea – paying for something you can easily get for free – but it’s a good thing to do and definitely much appreciated.

Curriculum Materials

If you are a Waldorf teacher or homeschooler, check out the curriculum materials I have available on the site. I've recently released more guides for the upper grades, including 7th grade Human Physiology and 8th grade Physics and Meteorology.

Amazon

The other way that is definitely relevant to this podcast, is to make purchases on Amazon by following the links on my website. Every time you do Amazon gives me a little bonus, at no extra cost to you. If you’re making purchases for holiday shopping, please consider clicking through one of the links on my site.

All of the links to products in the show notes are Amazon affiliate links and if you click before purchasing I get a small cut of whatever you spend. It’s a simple way to support the podcast, doing something you were probably going to do anyway.

Sponsorship

Finally, if you have a business that you think my audience would be interested in – Waldorf supplies, dolls, books, homeschooling or crafting materials, and you’d like my audience members to know about it, get in touch. You can email me at Meredith@awaldorfjourney.com. I’m being pretty picky about sponsors for the blog and podcast, but I’d love to talk to you to see if we’re a good fit.

Top 5 Waldorf Books

School is a Journey by Torin Finser

The Tasks and Content of the Steiner Waldorf Curriculum by Kevin Avison and Martyn Rawson

Teaching Children to Care by Ruth Si

The Holidays and the Waldorf Family | AWJ Podcast #25 Dec 07, 2017

Show notes

How do you maintain the values that support your child's Waldorf Education at home during the holidays? It can be tricky with all the busy-ness during this time of year. In this episode I talk about the holidays, the challenges we face and how we can get through this busy time of year feeling happy and healthy.

In the episode I refer to a couple of posts I recently wrote about gift-giving during the holidays. You can check them out by hitting the links below.

Art Supplies through the Grades

Books through the Grades

Supplies for Planning | AWJ Podcast #24 Nov 26, 2017

Show notes

Ways to Support the Podcast

Join the email list by texting WALDORF to 444999 and get updates about the blog and podcast right in your inbox.

First Grade Basics

I'm so glad to be releasing my first grade basics package! It's got all of the documents that I put together at the beginning of the school year to set myself up for the year. If you're a homeschooler or teacher looking at teaching first grade in the future, this is a great resource.

Maybe you're a teacher training student trying to wrap your mind around taking a class and teaching first grade in the future -- this package can get you in the right frame of mind.

In this package you'll find . . .

My 1st grade block rotation, along with the thoughts that went into creating it
My 1st grade morning rhythm
The songs and verses that I use in my morning rhythm
Our 1st grade weekly schedule
A 1st grade skills checklist (get this one for free by putting your email address in the form on this page.)
My sample 1st grade back to school letter
A great conflict resolution tool to help first graders work things out.

All of these resources will get you set up to teach first grade for only $12. I hope to be releasing individual block plans in the future, but for now this basics package will go a long way towards getting you started.

Amazon

Click any of the Amazon links on this site and a small portion of your purchase will end up in my pocket. This is a nice and easy way to support by spending the money you were going to spend anyway. Remember to think of supporting A Waldorf Journey before making your big back-to-school supply purchase.

Patreon

I love the idea behind Patreon. Imagine paying for something you can easily get for free, without anyone even knowing. But it feels good to make the donation and it is much appreciated.

Curriculum Materials and Resources

See if any of the digital documents I’ve got for offer on the site can help support your Waldorf teaching or homeschooling.

Sponsorship

If you have a Waldorf business you think my listeners would like, get in touch. You can become a sponsor on the podcast. You can get more information about sponsorship opportunities over at my sponsor page.