my waldorf guilt

“I don’t like reading”

February 16, 2016

I don’t like reading. This is what my 14-year-old says, just before he breaks my heart. But what he’s saying isn’t exactly accurate. For one, he’s saying it as a response to me bugging him about why he doesn’t read more. Which irritates him, and makes him want irritate me right back. And he knows […]

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learning in the new millennium, part 2

February 22, 2011

So much interesting discussion on my last post! Do check out the comments. Such doubts we have about video games! Which makes sense: it’s something that we parents didn’t grow up with, which many of us don’t understand, yet it’s becoming a basic part of childhood for many of our kids. People always fear the […]

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learning in the new millennium

February 16, 2011

Recently Mr. T took a circuitry class for homeschoolers. Although the class sounded interesting, T didn’t love it. For part of the class there were experiments that the teachers had set up, each with a diagram and a supply of parts. Kids were supposed to build the circuit on the card and to test it. […]

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“but if I write for them, how will they ever learn to write themselves?”

April 2, 2010

This is a question that often comes up, when I talk to parents about taking dictation from their kids. I understand the concern. I’ve had the same worry myself. But remember this: if you’re taking dictation from kids, you’re helping them see the value of expressing themselves in writing. The usefulness of having a written […]

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norse myths, wii games and a whole lot of thinking

February 14, 2010

The latest episode of my waldorf guilt. If you haven’t been reading along, these are the posts in which I wring my hands over how un-waldorfy things can get around here, and how I tend to feel guilty about it. Or try to justify why I don’t feel guilty. I’ve been feeling less and less […]

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november: notes on michael chabon

December 10, 2009

For my little project this month, I read Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father and Son by Michael Chabon. I loved this book. I think my copy now bears more blue and green highlights than any of the essay collections I’ve read this year. random notes: Judging from the blurbs and praises […]

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if your kid loves wolverine

November 2, 2009

If your kid loves Wolverine, go with it. Find the comics at the library; buy some for his birthday. When trying to choose a gift to make for that birthday, decide on a freezer paper applique of “young” Wolverine. Trace the outline from a comic when he isn’t looking. Do not swear when you cut […]

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