In reflecting back on the year 2015, I am so very grateful to YOU, my readers, for being here. For reading, commenting, asking questions and walking alongside me on this adventure of Waldorf homeschooling.
To each and every one of you, thank you!
I am truly grateful.
And now for the reflection. I love looking at the most popular posts on my blog for the year. It’s sometimes surprising to me, always enlightening, and quite delightful. Here are the top 10 posts of 2015 at Art of Homeschooling.
These are determined by page views, but many of the posts with the most views also rank high in Facebook shares and pins on Pinterest, too.
The Top 10 Posts of 2015 on Art of Homeschooling
1. Learning to Read the Waldorf Way
In this guest post, Barbara Dewey shares all about the foundations of reading. “Your child WILL learn to read. You merely need to be a patient, enthusiastic, and playful, willing accomplice. You are helping your young spy to crack the code!”
2. 6 Steps to Planning an Awesome Waldorf Homeschooling Year
In this six post series, I share specific, do-able steps to planning out your year. Those steps include: Blocks, Resources & Rhythm, Inner Work, Daily Rhythm, Lessons, and the Environment.
3. Remembering and Forgetting, and the Twelve Senses
Over at the The Steiner Cafe, I reflect (along with my friend, Alison) on Steiner’s lectures to the first Waldorf teachers. This post reminds us that we want to develop all twelve senses in order to deepen our children’s relationships and connection to the world and each other. (The image from this post, listing the twelve senses according to Steiner, is also my most pinned image!)
4. The Three Stages of the Waldorf Curriculum
Another post from The Steiner Cafe. As you may know, Steiner never wrote out a detailed curriculum. Many believe he intended to eventually, but he died five years after the first Waldorf school opened. He did write a few outlines, and this is one of them; suggested subjects divided into three stages “Up to the 9th Year,” “Up to the 12th Year,” and “Up to the 15th Year.”
5. A Homeschool Day in the Life with a 15-Year-Old
Every January, over at Simple Homeschool, Jamie runs a series called A Homeschool Day. I love reading the series because it’s like a patchwork quilt: homeschooling is different for each family. I wrote this description of one of our homeschooling days.
6. Making Music Come Alive for Children
In this guest post, Jodie Mesler of Home Music Making shares “7 Steps to Releasing Anxiety About Music Education” plus tips for teaching a blowing instrument. There’s also a video teaching how to play a song on recorder!
7. Stitching Projects for Multiple Ages
Here in this guest post, handwork teacher, Alisha Trammell, has some great projects for you! Including a 4th grade cross-stitch pin cushion, as well as projects that younger siblings can be doing at the same time, a placemat or name plate. Be sure to see the verse for cross-stitch, too!
8. Working Out the Curriculum
Steiner didn’t talk much about grade levels. Instead, he focuses on the child’s development at different stages. I think this is really great for us as Waldorf homeschoolers. This post is all about why. Over at The Steiner Cafe.
9. The Winds of October
The words, sheet music, a song recording, plus a video teaching you how to play this beautiful fall song on recorder!
10. Learn Three New Songs for Spring
Recordings of three beautiful songs for spring sung by my wonderful women’s singing group, Heartsong.
I was also curious to see the top posts of all time! (That’s really only for the past 2 years, since I started this site just before the beginning of 2014.) From that perspective, I would add the following post to the list:
11. Movement Games
Includes how to make bean bags plus two verses and suggestions for how to add movement games into your homeschool days.
Top 5 Pages in 2015
1. Resources for Waldorf-Inspired Homeschooling
This page is also the most viewed on my website of all time with over 20,000 views!
4. Waldorf Block Rotation for Grades 1-8
5. Just Getting Started with Waldorf Homeschooling?
Curious to see last year’s list? Click here to read the Top 10 Posts of 2014.
I hope that you are able to find some quiet moments to reflect on your year.
Acknowledge the painful moments and release them. And then savor the many moments to be grateful for.
May 2016 be an adventurous year for you and your family, full of joy and connection!
Jean
Happy happy New Year, Jean!
Thanks so much, Nicola! A happy and healthy New Year to you and your family, too, and one full of lots of great adventures!