My Grains Project

My project for the Maryland "Agriculture in the Classroom" workshop that I attended this June is a PowerPoint presentation (required) used to kick off a unit on Grains. For Waldorf, this would be part of a 3rd Grade Farming block. My concept is to introduce the grains of the world and how they were first cultivated by early peoples, then ask the students to research each grain. We will look at what kind of climate and soil it needs, when it is planted and when and how it is harvested, as well as any other growth requirements, and then each student will do a presentation on his/her grain and whether it would be a good fit for our region (Southern Maryland). If you are homeschooling, this might be a nice bridge unit between 3rd and 4th grade, starting the topic of Local History/Geography. We will choose a grain, grow it during the school year, harvest it, and use it in a recipe to serve to the students of the school. My students can then share with the preschool and kindergarten students all about the process of growing this grain.

So please be aware that I'll probably be posting a lot of links to Grains as I prepare my presentation.

Here are two nice links for teacher background:

The July 2011 issue of National Geographic has two references to heritage grains and the importance of this topic, and some wonderful pictures. Check out the article online: Food Ark. There's also an amazing graphic illustrating Our Dwindling Food Variety.



Hulu is a nice resource for free documentaries on a variety of topics. Check out King Corn.

Edutopia: The Waldorf Way

The October/November 2009 issue of Edutopia featured an article called "The Waldorf Way." So I went online to their website, hoping to link to the article (which was excellent) and found even more to share, including videos.


Article: Waldorf-Inspired Public Schools Are on the Rise
Waldorf-inspired public schools are on the rise as parents seek relief from the high-stakes testing culture.


Article: Waldorf Methods to Use in Your Classroom
Six tips to spice up the day.


Video: Waldorf's Integrated Way of Learning
Art and movement blend into academics at this K-8 school.


Video: A Day in the Life of a Waldorf School
Creativity and relationships are central to John Morse Waldorf Methods School, in Sacramento, California, a public K-8 school.


Article: Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum Materials
What makes a Waldorf class work? Here are some notes from a veteran teacher.

Crossing Borders/Breaking Boundaries

Links to lesson plans created by attendees of Crossing Borders/Breaking Boundaries ("A Series of Multidisciplinary Summer Institutes for Arts Educators"). This program was part of the Center for Renaissance & Baroque Studies, of the College of Arts & Humanities at the University of Maryland.

These lessons are appropriate for Middle and High School students.

topic for 2000: Africa & Its Influences, Jazz & America, and Considering the Postmodern

topic for 2002: The Arts of Ancient Greece

topic for 2003: The Arts of the Renaissance

topic for 2004: The Impact of Islamic Culture on the Arts of the Renaissance

topic for 2005: Looking East, Looking West: Europe and Arabia, 1450-1750

topic for 2006: The Arts and Artistic Legacies of the West African Civilizations, 700-1600 c.e.

topic for 2007: The Portuguese Empire in the Sixteenth and
Seventeenth Centuries: Artistic and Cultural Exchange

topic for 2008: The Arts of India, 1556-1658

topic for 2009: Pre- and Post-Encounter Arts of the Early Americas


These amazing week long institutes were FREE, including Room & Board! However, sadly, they seem to be no more. There's a link to a 2010 topic: The Arts of Tibet: Cultural Exchange in the Himalayas but no resulting lesson plans. There are no links to a 2011 topic or application form.

Sunday School Books

My big summer project is to clean out my basement and organize it all (having moved six times in seven years). Also, to go backpacking as much as possible. :-) Last week I did the Northville-Placid trail from Piseco to Wakeley Dam and next week I'm going to do Wakeley Dam to Lake Placid if all goes well.

Anyway, I plan on posting the notes that I find written on little scraps of paper as I go from box to box. This is an old bank deposit receipt and on the back I have listed two lovely books:

Fish Printing Set-Up

Today I lead the fish printing activity at our local community center. I have six different kinds of rubber fish, six foam brushes, calligraphy ink in six small jars, and inexpensive lightweight paper from "grocery store" sketchpads. Newsprint is best but we had this other paper on hand so I'm using it up.



I practiced this on my kitchen floor and found that it spatters so I am placing each fish in a cardboard box lid -- from the boxes that hold reams of paper.



I also recommend smocks if you have them. Simply dip the foam brush into the ink, spread along the top surface of the fish, place the paper sheet on top, and press the paper onto the fish being sure to get all of the texture. Flip it over and lay it to dry!

I have also seen this done using paint but the ink gets the details of the texture much more nicely.

Buying Handmade - Soaps

The Internet is a wonderful tool for changing the world... or for changing how you live. Even little things are doable, like deciding to move away from large chain stores and beginning to focus on buying from small vendors who craft their items by hand. I first am in the market for some handmade soaps. Etsy to the rescue!

Ultimate Organic Soap -- Nicole Lara Lajeunesse Bøe in Norway.

RockyTopSoapShop -- a (mystery) man in Maine

If you have a link to a wonderful natural soap maker, please share!

Summer Festival of Arts and Education - Toronto

So many fabulous things happening this summer! Here's a link to "Encounters with Imagination: A festival of arts and education" held at the Rudolf Steiner Centre Ontario from July 11-22, 2011.

They are also offering "Healing Education and Remedial Training" for teachers, therapists, and homeschoolers, a summer intensive course from July 25-29, 2011.