Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Playscapes and thoughts on Waldorf Education....

I've been keeping quite busy making playscapes for swapping...
They're a joy to create; so many possibilities...
so many details...
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Autumn Garden Playscape
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Beeswax pumpkins
A mother requested a river scene for her playscape...
She lives close to a beautiful river and frequently studies there with her homeschoolers..
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As I sat creating this, I started thinking what a connection her children would make to this river while immersed in their play..
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Lillypads on a river...
And that's what I love so much about Waldorf Education...
The connections...
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Kimberton Waldorf School
The thoughtfulness and intention in every aspect...
The spark of an imagination and the exciting ideas to follow...
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Handwork room at RVWS
I studied elementary and early childhood education during my time as an undergrad for 7 years. I sat through countless classes, observed in many different types of classroom settings, eavesdropped in many a faculty cafeteria. A few of my experiences were smile worthy....
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1st grade experience, 2004
...but none lit a fire within me as I hoped they would have. Teaching was always my profession of choice, ever since I had a makeshift classroom in my father's attic...or in the backyard....the alley behind our house for the neighborhood kids...the list goes on...
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Presenting a lesson I wrote on Shakespeare...2005
After missing a passing mathematics PRAXIS score (a standardized test all teachers must pass) by a mere 3 points, I was unable to teach in Pennsylvania schools. Math has always been a constant struggle for me. I remember the embarrassment, the nervousness,...the long nights at the kitchen table trying my hardest to grasp concepts....being tested for a learning disability in college. Now this was defining my future, and I was unsure of anything at this point. My creativity, ideas, and excitement wouldn't be used within a public school classroom...my 3.9 GPA, community involvement, fantastic recommendations from professors, and drive didn't matter...it all came down to those 3 points. I could retake the test (again...), but I was fed up. It was a sign.
Since discovering Waldorf 1 year ago, I've learned more self-studying and observing the philosophy and lifestyle than I had in 7 years studying traditional pedagogy. I've felt more inspired, more passionate.... and so much more emotionally connected than I've ever been about anything related to education. I am giddy at the prospect of beginning waldorf early childhood teacher training...
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Gnome Home at KWS
Children are naturally imaginative and excited spirits....
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Energy in the woods at RVWS
We provide the tools to foster these precious and fragile qualities...
This is how they learn about the vast world around them...
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Exploring gravity at RVWS
what it means to them...
who they are in perspective...
Thoughtfully select these tools...
and watch a child gracefully unfold, as they should...

*Playscapes: I'm not so much interested in selling them, but I am always looking to swap for anything Waldorf-y! BendingBirch@gmail.com


19 comments:

  1. oh your playscapes are gorgeous!!!! What a beautiful post dear mama.
    xo maureen

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  2. Oh my! I officially covet your playscapes! Great job! (:

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  3. Beautiful post it's so wonderful that you found your calling in the waldorf world!! It's very obvious that you love and live waldorf..you have a passion!! Oh and I love your playscape I'm looking to make one for my kids for their birthday too...just a quick question are the rocks trees and pinecones stationary...if so what do you use to keep them "stuck" in that spot???
    Jenn
    Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I have a has a very similar experience with math :( - it also stopped me in my tracks and gave me a change of direction - childrens publishing. I loved working with books - but I really love working at home. My next profession will definitely be working with people - I am thinking acupuncture, or a spiritual supply shop..., thanks for sharing your journey to discovering Waldorf - I always find that discovery interesting.

    Much love, Nicole

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  5. Beautiful, inviting and creative playscape! I am the same way with math. I have tried not to pass my phobia on to my kids-so far so good! It's hard thinking that something you are so made for is blocked by three points (at least for a time). I am so happy you are able to follow the dreams you express so beautifully! Peace, Angela

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  6. Oh Rebecca, I am drawn to your words about teaching as I could have written them myself! Though I have a state teaching certificate (no PRAXIS necessary when I graduated...whew!) I struggled with the idea of teaching in one method while believing so wholeheartedly in another.

    I am now applying to Waldorf schools even without the schooling behind me, hoping that I will land where I am meant to and learn and grow from that space.

    I will be so curious and excited to hear about your schooling as you go!

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  7. how wonderful that your passion finally found it's outlet. best to you on your new journey.

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  8. Lovely post and I love your honesty xxx

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  9. Your playscapes are beautiful. I feel very much the same about Waldorf education. I used to be a classroom teacher, but after homeschooling my kids the Waldorf way for several years, I don't think I could go back to it. I to, would love to be trained to become a Waldorf teacher. I'm excited for you!

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  10. those 3 points may have been the best 'mistake' of your life because after teaching 8 years in the public school system i became so disenchanted with our system (this was in los angeles) that i fear putting my son in a traditional program. i too am in love with waldorf and wish i had my waldorf teaching certification. we are going to moving around for the next 10 years, so i think i will do my best to homeschool my son with a waldorf inspired curriculum. and then i pray we end up in a great location with a waldorf school and community nearby for our children. good luck to you! you will be a great waldorf educator and mama!

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  11. These playscapes are sooo lovely ! What fun the children will have seeing their little river on a different scale ! I have studied traditional early childhood ed./ and have a montessori/waldorf inspired daycare here in my home,as well as 2 homeschoolers who are now 10 and 12 (wow! i blinked and they were big!) and i can't begin to tell you how important it will be for these children to have these playscapes as a meaningful part of their play ! I know how you feel and can completely relate about how you can suddenly find that "thing" that makes you feel inspired ! Much light to you as you embark on your training !It Never ceases to amaze me how the universe has a way of gently guiding us to our path of Authentic self... lovely. What an amazing lady....
    light and peace
    autumn mama

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  12. I adore your playscapes! I will have to make one for Larkspur's birthday-but can I wait until March??

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  13. I think that 3 points can point to so much of what is wrong with having a "results" oriented model for children ... and adults. Its teaching so much to just getting it done, instead of really learning to gain knowledge and appreciation for a specific subject and how it relates to life. I'm so excited for you Rebecca. I'm excited to hear more about it.
    By the way, Camille just loves the playscape. Its set by her fairy house, but she'll sometimes fold it up and carry it to another place to play.
    much love. :-)

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  14. Oh Rebecca! You speak for me, too. I am a traditionally trained teacher though I worked in a very alternative school for three years before becoming pregnant with my now nearly five year old son (his birthday is Thursday:)). I was very disenchanted from that experience, even though it was alternative and even though I tried to bring in a lot of Waldorf influence. Since having babies, I am so much more immersed in Steiner philosophy, which seems to just simply make sense for our family. A feeling of coming home. I am so very grateful to have been exposed to it from the beginning of my children's lives. And who knows where it will lead, that is so very exciting! For now, we have begun kinder homeschooling (a little bit of an oxymoron, I suppose), and the closest Waldorf school is an hour away. I enjoyed your post, I always do! Happy November!
    xo Jules

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  15. Hello Rebecca, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! I really enjoyed looking around on yours! I am a teacher in the Netherlands, not on a Waldorf school, but on a Jenaplanschool. Just like you I am very interested in Waldorf. I will visiting you in the future! Bye, Barbara

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  16. 3 points, 3 points...so ridiculous, don't even get me started on standardized testing. I love running my own preschool because I can teach whatever, do whatever and play whatever I think is best for my 7 adventurers. Teaching is a gift, it cannot be measured by a test or certificate!!!! p.s. love the playscapes.

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  17. I love the playscapes they are so beautiful.
    3 points!...what a loss for them. Why should anyone have so much anxiety over a test? Grateful you have found Waldorf, where your gifts will be appreciated and your strengths and passions will light the fire to so many. I'm currently in teacher training and it is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing in your beautiful blog!

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  18. Your playscapes are beautiful and I'm enjoying reading through your journey to a more inspired kind of education x

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