Donna asked what few resources I would recommend.  I like the Oak Meadow Teacher Process bk a LOT. Kind of does for Waldorf what Hainstock does for Montessori – the reader’s digest, no frills (ie no mysticism) version.  I like the OM book because it stresses teacher frame of mind. Its a bit heavy on the psychobabble but the principles – making smooth transitions, setting yourselves up for success, being fully present in the moment – are all valid and vital. Its also a one-stop shop for directions for painting, knitting, crochet, voice, and storytelling. Don’t buy it new. There are some good OM yahoo groups and the book is easy to come by there.

I have some pseudo-Waldorf materials that are working here.  Form drawing is written about in rather esoteric terms on Waldorf sites. Personally I think Donna Young’s exercises are darn good and free. : )  Fearon has a series of Perceptual–Motor Skills Development books we are collecting. (all separate titles linked there).  The materials can be made at home and they are ready to go.

Block study really is unit study or thematic study. There are lots of resources for that on the net. Any good book which highlights feast days and recurrent festivals for one’s faith work fine. For us that would be things like the Catholic Mosaic or A Year with God from CHC. CM nature study like I said.

Watercolor is a staple of Waldorf schools and for me the best help thus far was this image collection coupled with a stack of paper and paints. Trial and error.  More sample work from various subject is found here. A curriculum overview here gives a quick summation of grade school topics. There are a plethora of Waldorf inspired toy sites with some lovely wooden toys. We are keeping an eye out at the thrift store. Melissa and Doug (sidebar) toys are the same type.

That would do it for me right now. I don’t like to wander off into the spiritual aspects, nor can I spend a bunch, but I do find the gentle parenting guidance to be exceptionally good. I am finding that the nature appreciation is extending to homemaking here and the whole thing is having a calming effect as we move into fall. We have incorporated more earthy tones and natural fibers. Dried floral arrangements are more appealing to me than silk.  I would like to pick up some pine cones and some twig balls for display. But I digress…. ; )  Seriously it is more about slowing down, embracing what is natural and REAL. Real food, real materials, real books, real interaction, real life. Don’t spend a lot. Did I mention that? <g>

Elizabeth has linked to more here. She includes all of Lissa’s Waldorf thoughts at Lilting House – which pretty much articulate my own.