This Snowy Winter
This winter has been the snowiest here in Ohio for many years, and we understand that we have gotten the least of it! As of February 11, we have about two feet on the ground. We've lost several trees, one of which fell right where Quimby usually parks his truck. Luckily his truck was not there that night!
New Barn
Many of you may remember that we took down an old barn down the road last year. A few weeks ago we hired two Amish men to help us build a new tractor barn to house our new tractor. Most of the materials came from the old barn, and as you can see the siding is striped! It will get a coat of paint to neaten it, and is a good place to store the tractor, its implements, and wood that we are seasoning for other projects.
Plans for the Farm
As you may know, we have been spending about half time in Harrisburg, PA, where Quimby has a home. We have decided to sell the house there and move permanently to Taproot. We have been here this winter since mid-November and we have loved every minute of it! Our plan now is to build another solar, earth sheltered building behind my present Glass House. It will be two story, all glass on the south side and we plan to use some solar electric in it. The upper story will house Quimby's furniture and keepsakes that cannot be squeezed into the Glass House, and will serve as a lovely guest house for all those of you we hope will come and visit. The lower story will be the woodwork shop. It will be built with lumber we are select cutting here on the farm to thin the woodlot and make room for the younger trees to grow. We are bringing an Amish portable mill in here the turn the logs into lumber on site.
Next year, when the buildings are done, we plan to get some Highlander Cattle to graze on the hill pasture, and have chickens again for eggs. Our chicken coop has stood empty for the past year and we really miss those good, fresh, blue, green and pink eggs we used to have. We may also get a goat or two for milk.
Family Weekends
Family Spring Festival Weekend — April 16–18
The seeds of Spring take root and flourish with the warmth of friends and laughter… come with your family to nourish your homeschool traditions. Our 65 acre farm is a relaxed and comfortable environment in which to meet other homeschooling families, be inspired, and share your wisdom with new friends… Bring the whole family!!!! We are Waldorf inspired while incorporating other complementary philosophies. This year you will be able to observe some of our building progress, as well as take part in nature and science projects.
Training programs
Come and enjoy life in the country, while you learn. Other amenities include the use of Barbara's extensive library, canoe, swim, hike, evening activities, such as campfire, discussions or games.
Kindergarten Training at Taproot Farm — August 6-8
Tuition $200 Two day weekend course Tuition includes room and board.
Topics to be covered in this training include, Development of the Child, Cycle of the Year, Practical Activities, Bread Making, Preparing Vegetables, Storytelling, Puppetry, Finger knitting, Painting, Nature table, Home Organization and Toy Making.
Come and enjoy life in the country, while you learn. Other amenities include the use of Barbara's extensive library, canoe, swim, hike, evening activities, such as campfire, discussions or games.
Grades Training at Taproot Farm — August 26-29
Grades 1-8 $300 Three day course
Tuition includes room and board.
It is our purpose to offer a training to suit the unique situation of homeschooling parents and teachers of small groups, keeping in mind the advantages of working in a home, applying Steiner's philosophy to the needs of the homeschooling family.
Schedule will allow for you to cover two grades, and this year we will have John Quimby, Forest Entomologist as our science specialist, offering additional programs.
Registration and further details will be available on the website soon. Please save the dates!
Book Recommendation
Barry Gray, a frequent contributor to this newsletter in the past, has written a book called A Play on Words, Stories, Verses and Plays for the Classroom and Beyond, published by Xlibris. It is full of very useful material, written by a Waldorf Master Teacher, who is very aware of the needs of the homeschooling parent. It is available from most booksellers at $19.99
Website Recommendations
I hope you are aware of the site http://www.mainlesson.com where you will find many books for free online and organized by Waldorf grade level. A great source of stories!
And for science: Suitable for older children, or for your own instruction as a parent, a set of short popular instructional science minifilms:
http://www.vega.org.uk/video/subseries/27 explaining such things as how to generate electricity from wind-power, how to make a battery from a potato, etc.