You'll notice a photo theme (repeating view) here. One of my daily anchors is to rise early, journal and do a little work outside on the deck (the birds! the air! the sunlight!) and then get some exercise.
In June, I participated in Jean Miller's Waldorf-Inspired Learning Plan It Out online course (Homeschooling with the Lively Arts) and I am so glad that I did! (The class was like a more in-depth, personalized version of her free webinars, free online articles, and inexpensive planning guide combined, but not overwhelming.)
While I feel as though, several years into this homeschooling gig, I have planning under control, and I am a lifetime member of Waldorf Essentials' Thinking Feeling Willing (TFW) program (which definitely covers planning), I found myself in a different place this past spring, with different needs than other approaches were meeting.
This past year, we all changed quite a bit, each in different ways. I realized I was feeling overwhelmed, tired, and tangled in the mess of parenting, homeschooling, special needs, Waldorf approach, and mainstream life, resulting in anxiety of where we are, what we have missed, what is to come, and how to tackle that all. We had deviated quite a bit from the typical Waldorf scope and I was feeling stuck in how to envision the upcoming year, given I hadn't taught "just so" up to this point. Jean's gentle, calm approach was just the guidance I needed.
My planning is not yet done, but I have a much clearer picture of what I need to do, why, and how to pull it together. My spaces are more organized, I am fretting less, and I feel more inspired. I also know from past experience, I cannot pull together a solid plan until just before school starts, because I don't know what classes and projects will be offered through our charter or 4-H, or when they will take place, so I am reminding myself not to over-think and over-plan with information lacking.
So for now, I am deeply appreciating the small group discussions, the personal support, the resource sharing, and my accountability partner! I am reading online article, e-texts, and books, picking and choosing resources, and realizing how much my thoughts keep returning to an essential need to simplify our daily and weekly rhythms.
How is homeschool planning going for you?
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