Every week I receive the Steiner Books Sunday Letter from Kathy Donchak. As part of her weekly letter, Kathy shares a short anthroposophical podcast (https://steinerbooks.org/sunday-letter-podcast ). Although I have appreciated each podcast, I found her April 23rd podcast with Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna especially relevant for this time. In this podcast,...
As one of the student support teachers at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork, I can feel the collective energy that all of us Waldorf teachers are creating right now as we think about how to bring our rich, "real world" curriculum to our students and their parents through virtual means.
If you are like me, figuring out how to channel the creativity we use for our school lessons into this new circumstance, is a bit daunting. My overarching theme to this challenge is to remember how to meet the children where they are developmentally. To do this we need to ask the question, "How do children learn best?" to know how to proceed.
This blog is for Kindergarten-Grade 8 class teachers. Create a Viable System to Effectively Encourage and Engage Parents' Help In and Out of the Classroom Being a Waldorf teacher has its joys and its challenges. Certainly, one of the challenges is the amount of time it takes to prepare our lessons, stay on top of our classroom organization, a...
photo from: http://www.babysitting.academy/the-9-step-guide-to-camping-with-kids/ Dear Class Teachers, Have you noticed that for those students in your class who have not seen each other all summer the first day of school is much more about social interactions among peers than it is about the curriculum? The energy and excitement that su...
We've come to that point in the summer when it's time to plan your coming year. But where do you begin? One of the first things you want to do is to create your block rotation. Our greatest teacher, Experience, and our mentors and colleagues have given us a number of excellent ideas for developing a yearly plan that supports a healthy academic...
This post is for grades 1-8. Your Students Need Integrated Movement Throughout the Day Are your students getting "spring fever?" Are you feeling a bit stale? Well we have an idea for you – add more integrated movement into your lessons! Waldorf teachers know that when we want our students to learn a new concept or skill the best approach is to enga...
How can you especially give your gifted students a challenge so that they keep actively engaged in their learning? Challenge Books!
In every class there are always those students who finish their assignments accurately and proficiently prior to the rest of the class. Of course, you first have to verify if they have completed the assignment correctly and that they used the quality of skill (handwriting and/or artistic presentation) that you requested. But then what?
We found that beginning in 3rd grade challenge books can provide an answer. These books are a collection of brainteasers and curriculum exercises that can be copied and made into booklets. These exercises don't teach new skills, but rather give these students the opportunity to use those skills they have already been developing in new ways thus we promote that you give these challenge books to each student in the class.
Janet Langley & Patti Connolly
Rehearsal
Blog #1 is for grades 1-8 class teachers.
Each time we talk with Waldorf alumni students about their school experience, it doesn't take long for the conversation to come around to their animated, joyful descriptions of their annual class plays. We love listening to them recount this scene or that scene, or the time that so-and-so forgot her lines and so-and-so stepped in. These deep, important reminiscences always inspire us to support class teachers in any way we can to take on the leadership of such an endeavor. We want their students to also experience the rich creative and social processes that class plays can provide.
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After over 14,000 hours of research and writing (spanning over five years), Jennifer and Janet are so grateful that their book, The Roadmap to Literacy, is finding its way into the hands of hundreds of teachers here in the U.S. and numerous foreign countries. They are even more excited to hear back from those teachers about their experience with the book. Below are some excerpts they wished to share:
“I have taken two classes through eighth grade and I have to say this book has rocked my world. My second graders are progressing so well. They love kid writing and cheer when we have reading groups!"
- Lori Ann Kran, PhD, Cincinnati Waldorf School
I have spent almost every night crawled up in bed with your book... To me, it reads like a bestseller. Your book is a game changer. I am so deeply grateful for your admonition that we have a responsibility to teach skills. Again, thank you so much for this valuable contribution to our work as educators.”
- Felicity Far, Educational Support Coordinator Lake Champlain Waldorf School
What a fantastic tome of needed common sense, excellent research and application, and above all, inspiration! Thank you for the years of focus to pull it all together for us. My daughter, a new teacher, received her copy and if she is not sleeping with it under her pillow, it is at least, close by. What a resource!
- Anna Rainville, author of Singing Games, mentor and trainer of Waldorf Teachers
You have put together a truly amazing resource. I’ve never seen any Waldorf related book this comprehensive and practical. It is truly a gift that you’ve created. This book isn’t just a roadmap, but a comprehensive resource that guides teachers in such a way that they are freed up to teach with greater inspiration and creativity because they aren’t bogged down with gathering basic information.
- Anais Alexander, Teacher Corvalis Waldorf School
I just started your book today and I cannot put it down! Two colleagues and I have been pondering this exact topic... when lo and behold, I stumble upon your website and your book. This is exactly what our language curriculum has needed for a long time.
- Natasha Zimmerman, class teacher Whidbey Island Waldorf School
Every Waldorf teacher needs this book. I appreciate all the thorough background info you provide on the stages of literacy development as a recapitulation of English development throughout history and how it connects with Steiner's indications. Really, really good stuff! As a literacy specialist, I also appreciate the "Sacred Nothings" section… I like how you articulate why some of these practices are not serving children. Thank you for the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this. It was no small feat! Thousands and thousands of teachers and children are going to benefit from this book.
- Rebecca Hipps, Waldorf literacy specialist and Founder of Story Seedlings
A break-through….an essential resource for every Waldorf teacher who wants to ensure that good reading takes place in his or her class!
- Bonnie River, M.Ed., Co-founder Gradalis Teacher Training Program
An incredible compilation of Waldorf and public-school methods that can be used both by private Waldorf teachers and public-school teachers.
- Bethany Chaffin, M.Ed., Administrator, San Diego County Teacher of the Year, 2014
This book will be a bible for early grades teachers! Educators will have everything they need to teach early literacy in one easy-to-use reference.
- Heather Handy, M.Ed., Class Teacher and School Mentor
The Roadmap to Literacy is an invaluable guide for all Waldorf teachers. It clearly outlines a comprehensive approach to the unique challenges of teaching reading in English.
- Carla Beebe Comey, M.Ed., Waldorf Teacher Education Program, Antioch University New England
The following are some of the comments from a group of 1st and 2nd grade homeschooling parents on Facebook:
I have owned nearly every Waldorf Homeschool curriculum on the market, and most of the Waldorf teacher resources as well… none of them provide the depth and breadth of language arts instruction for grades 1–3 as The Roadmap to Literacy. The specificity, I think, is something that has been sorely needed—you clearly lay out both the skill progression as well as the “how-to”. Finally, a complete LA resource!
- Amanda, homeschool parent
I can say Roadmap has been such an amazing help for me. I feel like I know what I'm doing teaching reading and writing to my 1st grader...
[The Roadmap to Literacy] has been invaluable in helping me help my 6th grader with her spelling and writing. We’ve been doing phonics lessons together with her 3rd grade sister and both girls have improved tremendously!
The Roadmap to Literacy is invaluable!!!!
I am going to highly, highly recommend it [The Roadmap to Literacy] to everyone, but especially those starting with first. I have just finished the section on introducing letters and I could have avoided MANY of the issues my older son has with letters, sounding out words, writing, etc, if I would have known these suggestions… I can't say enough about this resource.
It makes so much sense on how to teach reading!
The Roadmap to Literacy has really filled in the blanks for me on what I should be teaching and in what order.
9:00 am-3:00 pm PDT (U.S. West Coast time)
Presented by:
Janet Langley, co-author of The Roadmap to Literacy*
Patti Connolly, Waldorf mentor teacher of 30 years
Guest presenter:
Anna Rainville, Waldorf mentor teacher of 40 years
This course will include content from The Roadmap to Literacy: A Guide to Teaching Language Arts in Waldorf Schools Grades 1 through 3* by Janet Langley and Jennifer Militzer-Kopperl, as well as information based on the presenters’ additional research and experience. Access to a copy of Roadmap will be necessary to maximize your workshop experience.
Workshop topics will be presented through lectures, demonstrations, physical activities, informative handouts, and group discussions. Topics will include the following:
Day 1: Overview of the foundations of literacy including a review of our 2-hour online video: Tough, Bough, Cough, and Dough: Meeting the Challenge of Teaching English (This is the introductory session for all workshops.)
Days 2-4: Instruction for teaching the essential aspects of Language Arts including:
This course will also include:
How to lead fun and effective practice activities to help students solidify skills and to help you assess their progress
How to use singing games and poems to help students practice concepts
How to differentiate lessons and how to help struggling students
Understanding the importance of assessment and how to regularly assess (the GPS of Roadmap)
How to plan your academic year and prepare comprehensive lesson plans that introduce new academic concepts in an imaginative and developmentally appropriate way
How to navigate and utilize The Roadmap to Literacy*
Additional Benefits available to you when attending one of our workshops:
Read our cancellation Policy here
Register Now9:00 am-3:00 pm PDT (U.S. West Coast time)
Presented by:
Janet Langley, co-author of The Roadmap to Literacy*
Patti Connolly, Waldorf mentor teacher of 30 years
Guest presenter:
Anna Rainville, Waldorf mentor teacher of 40 years
This course will include content from The Roadmap to Literacy: A Guide to Teaching Language Arts in Waldorf Schools Grades 1 through 3* by Janet Langley and Jennifer Militzer-Kopperl, as well as information based on the presenters’ additional research and experience. Access to a copy of Roadmap will be necessary to maximize your workshop experience.
Workshop topics will be presented through lectures, demonstrations, physical activities, informative handouts, and group discussions. Topics will include the following:
Day 1: Overview of the foundations of literacy including a review of our 2-hour online video: Tough, Bough, Cough, and Dough: Meeting the Challenge of Teaching English (This is the introductory session for all workshops.)
Days 2-4: Instruction for teaching the essential aspects of Language Arts including:
This course will also include:
How to lead fun and effective practice activities to help students solidify skills and to help you assess their progress
How to use singing games and poems to help students practice concepts
How to differentiate lessons and how to help struggling students
Understanding the importance of assessment and how to regularly assess (the GPS of Roadmap)
How to plan your academic year and prepare comprehensive lesson plans that introduce new academic concepts in an imaginative and developmentally appropriate way
How to navigate and utilize The Roadmap to Literacy*
Additional Benefits available to you when attending one of our workshops:
Read our cancellation Policy here
Register Now9:00 am-3:00 pm PDT (U.S. West Coast time)
Presented by:
Janet Langley, co-author of The Roadmap to Literacy*
Patti Connolly, Waldorf mentor teacher of 30 years
Guest presenter:
Anna Rainville, Waldorf mentor teacher of 40 years
This course will include content from The Roadmap to Literacy: A Guide to Teaching Language Arts in Waldorf Schools Grades 1 through 3* by Janet Langley and Jennifer Militzer-Kopperl, as well as information based on the presenters’ additional research and experience. Access to a copy of Roadmap will be necessary to maximize your workshop experience.
Workshop topics will be presented through lectures, demonstrations, physical activities, informative handouts, and group discussions. Topics will include the following:
Day 1: Overview of the foundations of literacy including a review of our 2-hour online video: Tough, Bough, Cough, and Dough: Meeting the Challenge of Teaching English (This is the introductory session for all workshops.)
Days 2-4: Instruction for teaching the essential aspects of Language Arts including:
This course will also include:
How to lead fun and effective practice activities to help students solidify skills and to help you assess their progress
How to use singing games and poems to help students practice concepts
How to differentiate lessons and how to help struggling students
Understanding the importance of assessment and how to regularly assess (the GPS of Roadmap)
How to plan your academic year and prepare comprehensive lesson plans that introduce new academic concepts in an imaginative and developmentally appropriate way
How to navigate and utilize The Roadmap to Literacy*
Additional Benefits available to you when attending one of our workshops:
Read our cancellation Policy here
Register Now9:00 am-3:00 pm PDT (U.S. West Coast time)
Presented by:
Janet Langley, co-author of The Roadmap to Literacy*
Anna Rainville, Waldorf mentor teacher of 40 years
This course will include content from The Roadmap to Literacy: A Guide to Teaching Language Arts in Waldorf Schools Grades 1 through 3* by Janet Langley and Jennifer Militzer-Kopperl, as well as information based on the presenters’ additional research and experience. Access to a copy of Roadmap will be necessary to maximize your workshop experience.
Workshop topics will be presented through lectures, demonstrations, physical activities, informative handouts, and group discussions. Topics will include the following:
Day 1: Overview of the foundations of literacy including a review of our 2-hour online video: Tough, Bough, Cough, and Dough: Meeting the Challenge of Teaching English (This is the introductory session for all workshops.)
Days 2-4: Instruction for teaching the essential aspects of Language Arts including:
Additional Benefits available to you when attending one of our workshops:
Read our cancellation Policy here
Register Now