A Bit of Ludite...

I'm a bit of a Luddite.

I'm going way out on a limb here mostly in response to my favorite "Teaching Handwork" blog http://teachinghandwork.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html and the request to: "see more Waldorf inspired sites where you can get free information".

I am mostly hoping to journal my handwork teaching experience in order to see how the Waldorf teaching community gathers to support each other.

Not sure where to start, so I'll start with the day I was asked to take on a first and second grade class in a brand new Waldorf school. I have knit for years and taught many friends and family but never a class of children. I'm in my first year of teacher training and happened to be in the right place at the right time. I joined the class with their projects in progress. First graders on their kitty. Second graders knitting flute cases.

I had learned a verse that I will share here:

(begin with hands crossed over heart)
"I look at my hands with my fingers fine (holding both hands out in front of you)
And want to feel proud that they are mine, (again cross hands over heart)
For deep in my heart lies a golden chest,
With a secret treasure that no one can guess
Unless my hands do their very best, (holding both hands out - palms up)
To work (right hand turns palm down - as if sewing)
And work (left hand turns down to meet right hand)And open the chest." (both hands open with palms facing up)


Many, many thanks to the "Drawf Song" http://teachinghandwork.blogspot.com/2009/01/1st-grade-song-and-verse-for-jan.html I brought that and a story in the first day. I also brought in Helper. He is a gnome I knitted and I introduced him to the class and set him down where he could see the children. And they have come to love helper. He shows up wearing different things or carrying some gem in a little crocheted backpack.

I thought I had my plan but I wasn't ready at all! These children had all switch schools mid-year (coming from a closing Waldorf school) and the children had just had a substitute. Needless to say, they weren't "good listeners"! They were loud, some were throwing their yarn across the room, some were using of potty talk....I soon realized it wasn't going to be all about knitting, stories and songs.

Day 2 - next entry...