I Thought Waldorf Was A Salad

In this episode, we go to Busytown on a bike!  Well, sort of.  We also talk about first grade readiness.  As we slide into the end of the school year and start thinking about the next, we share our wishlists for rising first graders. As always, please send in your questions and requests, we love receiving them.  Have a postcard you want to send us?  Just reach out! If you haven't yet checked us ou...

In this episode, we talk about a few education topics in the news and then jump right into the hot button topic of discipline.  What does discipline look like in a Waldorf school as opposed to other educational models, how it changes based on child development and how teachers practice their discipline. As always, please send in your questions and requests, we love receiving them.  Have a postcard...

In this episode, we talk about the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade by request from a listener in Minnesota - thank you listener!  As always, please send in your questions and requests, we love receiving them. If you haven't yet checked us out on the grams, you can find us @waldorfsaladpod and you can always email us at  waldorfsaladpod@gmail.com   Oh and hey!   We started a Patreon in which...

Heads up!  This episode starts with a rather direct message about the current political climate in the US.  Take it or leave it but know where we stand. In this episode, we talk about the twelve year change by request from a listener in Denmark - thank you listener!  As always, please send in your questions and requests, we love receiving them. If you haven't yet checked us out on the grams, you c...

Let's get this out of the way right at the top Melvil Dewey not John Dewy created the Dewey decimal system.  They are not even related.  We are not out here spreading misinformation. In this episode, we go through the history of public education in America from the colonial period to the present.  The hope is that we set the groundwork for a future discussion of data collection and assessment.  We...

What is your relationship to the rules?  In this episode, we go through a parade of emotions.  Adam talks about wearing kilts.  Kristi shares about her dress code blindness.  But more importantly, we tackle the big topics that come up in regard to rules, specificlly DRESS CODE, including sexism, classism and body shaming.  As always, we ground our discussion in child development and the fundamenta...

Is it Mono Lake or Mono Lake?  In this episode,  Adam shares about his three camping miracles .  He also tells us all about the threefold social order and the mostly progressive Emil Molt and how they contributed to the founding of the first Waldorf school.  Kristi shares about a building called the Goetheanum (go-thee-an-um) and how it's destruction holds a kernal of truth that connects to the im...

This is not a full episode, but rather a quick note about Michaelmas.  As we enter Michaelmas season, I thought a little reminder of what it's all about was in order.  I know many of you are preparing to go back to school or have just started and all of our striving (whether to get children in their seats or get them dressed for school) is matched by the spirit of Michaelmas.  Happy dragon taming!...

In this episode, we talk about all the ways we prepare for the school year ahead.  Adam gets super melancholic over the whole thing and all three pets join us in the studio.  We also talk about how, just like everything in Waldorf education, we go whole to the parts. Oh and hey!   We started a Patreon in which we plan to add some of our off topic conversations, behind the scenes stuff and opportun...

In this episode, we pull some hypotheticals from Steiner's Discussions With Teachers .  Kristi proposes these student behavior situations to Adam and he brings his substantial social intelligence to bear on the problem.  Kristi sings a bunch and Bella meows, she meows. Oh and hey!   We started a Patreon in which we plan to add some of our off topic conversations, behind the scenes stuff and opport...

In this episode, we round out our discission of nine year change.  We go into the temperaments, the three fold human being and the curriculum as these areas relate to the nine year change. Here's some links to other episodes we mention: Nine Year Change Part I Nine Year Change Part II The Temperaments Oh and hey!   We started a Patreon in which we plan to add some of our off topic conversations, b...

The play's the thing!  In this episode, we talk about how we do plays in Waldorf schools, how those differ from other schools and why we make it all so complicated.  Lots of theater people love in this episode.  Who's ready to write a play...not us.  Who didn't turn off her ringer?  Lookin' at you Kristi.  Adam has a full on potty mouth in this episode so prepare for spicy language.  Also, mid sho...

Are you Waldorf curious?  In this episode, we do a run down of whether or not Waldorf might be right for you.  We cover some territory that's very familiar, but try to put it into a kind of self-check in list.  Also, Kristi has no idea what Cocomelon is.  Mostly, we talk about Kristi's dad. Oh and hey!   We started a Patreon in which we plan to add some of our off topic conversations, behind the s...

In this episode, we discuss standardized testing.  Specifically, when we administer the tests as a public Waldorf charter and what we do with the results.  Hot button topics include the Kristi's quasi conspiracy theory about BIG TEST.  Let's just say, she has big feelings. Oh and hey!  We started a Patreon in which we plan to add some of our off topic conversations, behind the scenes stuff and opp...

In this episode, we practice pronouncing the word phenomenological and then discuss what the heck it is.  Specifically, how the approach builds keen observers and fosters wonder.  Hot button topics include the time block in grade two and butter! If you are not alread following us on the grams, please do so you can add your useful chime ins on our posts!  You can find us on Instagram at  waldorfsal...

In this episode, we talk about what hills we will die on.  Specifically, what elements of Waldorf education we feel absolutely must stay the same and those that must change.  Hot button topics include black crayons, bolga baskets and amplified music! If you are not alread following us on the grams, please do so you can add your useful chime ins on our posts!  You can find us on Instagram at waldor...

In this episode, we tackle the four temperaments by defining characteristics, color and Winnie the Pooh characters.  Kristi and Adam diagnose each others' temperaments and it's dicey.  The studio is rechristened the Bellatrix Celeste Kilcollins Performing Arts Center and it sounds pretty good afterall.   If you are not already following us on the grams, please do so you can comment on our episode...

In this episode, it's game day so we play a little game.  Kristi asks Adam to correctly pronounce and explain a few Waldorf specific terms.  Producer Bella uses her exceptional math skills and high tech equipment to tally the score. We mention at the end of the episode that if you are a practicing Waldorf teacher in a Waldorf charter or independent school, we invite you to join us at Journey Schoo...

In this episode, we discuss squatters rights and the importance of belligerence.  Okay, no, we do, but just a little bit.  Rather, we look at the similarities, differences and practical problems that both public and private Waldorf schools face.  We talk curriculum, legal perameters and, of course, eurythmy flooring.  Kristi still has a cold so she sounds funny, apologies. Our hearts go out to eve...

This is the second episode on the infamous nine year change and the first episode of our second season.  In this part, we discuss how the curriculum meets the third grader experiencing the heartache of the nine year change.  Before we get there though, we talk a bit about all the very real heartache going on in the world right now and specifically in our wider Waldorf community. Our hearts go out...

This is the first episode of two on the infamous nine year change.  We briefly describe the nine year change and go into what you can do in the years leading up to the nine year change to prepare.  Naturally, this leads us into sharing that we like our Santas jolly and well fed.  Enjoy this Chrismukkah gift to you and happy holidays everyone! Did any questions about nine year change arise for you?...

Did you know it was Kristi's birthday, Santa Lucia Day and Taylor Swift's birthday all in one week?  Naturally, this leads us into a discussion of why we bring literacy instruction when we do.  In this episode, we discuss the pacing and timeline for direct literacy instruction - what is it, why do we do and what questions/concerns do we often come across .   Also, Adam gets on his high horse about...

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so grateful for each of you!  Thank you for supporting us and listening and for all your funny comments when you see you out in the world! In this episode, we discuss "parent work" - what is it, why do we do and what questions/concerns do we often come across .   Also, Adam uses the word myriad incorrectly and Kristi has big feelings about it. Did any questions as teach...

In this episode, we discuss the many entities that could sponsor us and we dive into the Curriculum Closet TM .   We discuss which resources we highly reccomend for Waldorf teachers and homeschoolers as well as what we find doesn't exactly land and why. Apologies for how loud my cold brew coffee is in this episode! Did we miss an important resources?   Want to send Kristi some birthday condolences...

In this episode, we discuss Pie Party madness and how Waldorf has always been a multisensory education model.  We discuss how Waldorf pedagogy, curriculum and materials all support elements of multisensory education.  We also discuss rodents quite a bit. Did we miss something important in our discussion?  Do you know the definitive pronunciation of Amish?  Give us a shout by email at waldorfsaladp...