In the United States, the school year typically runs from fall (August/September) through (May/June).  This means that many mothers start to order homeschooling materials for fall in March or April.

There are many questions out on the lists and forums regarding curriculum for Waldorf homeschooling.  Here is a back post in which I listed the Waldorf consultants who have been around for a time and whom I feel at least have read Steiner and stick truly to Steiner’s indications for the grades…there may be others now since this list was written, but at least it gives you a starting point:  https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/01/03/waldorf-consultants/

I typically take pieces of this and that and write my own curriculum    Many veteran mothers write their own curriculum over the summer, so that by fall they have their own custom and individualized curriculum for that child! 

Here are some suggestions for planning:

• Do go through your supplies and see what you have that will carry you into next year.  Do you have a lot of watercolor paints, beeswax, extra blank Main Lesson Books?  Do you need supplies that are different? Musical instruments come to mind, for example, switching from a pentatonic flute to a diatonic flute.  Are you switching from stick crayons to pencil or to a fountain pen this year? 
• How are you situated on blackboards?  As you move up the grades, you really need more and more blackboard space.
• If you are going to use a pre-written package, have you seen it in person?  Can you try to see it before you order it if it is not a product line you have used in the past?
• Do you understand the fundamental soul nature of the child for the grade you are teaching?  Do you know what blocks are typical for that grade?  Do you have an idea of what artistic and academic level your child should be working at for that grade?  That is very important in your planning.
• Are there any areas you are planning to deviate away from the curriculum?  If so, did you include those products or ideas in your planning?
• What about books for your child to read, or books you would like to read to them?  Can you make a list and check it against your local library system? 
• Here is more about planning for festivals, how many days a week will you be out and general rhythm to homemaking and homeschooling:  https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/21/more-planning-for-fall-101/
• Back posts on this blog for planning:   https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/06/13/summer-planning-waldorf-and-the-early-years/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/06/14/summer-planning-for-the-five-and-six-year-old-kindergarten-years/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/06/12/summer-teacher-planning-a-few-inspirations-from-a-waldorf-point-of-view/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/21/more-planning-for-fall-101/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/15/some-inspiration-for-summer-planning-and-parenting/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/07/planning-waldorf-second-grade/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/04/21/thoughts-for-homeschooling-waldorf-grade-two/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/03/20/step-away-from-your-waldorf-curriculum/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2008/12/19/planning-for-your-waldorf-homeschooling-adventure/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/11/10/waldorf-101-main-lesson-books-block-teaching-and-the-three-day-rhythm/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/08/18/an-example-of-a-first-grade-science-block/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/02/28/science-in-waldorf-homeschooling/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/02/19/things-i-learned-along-the-way-in-teaching-homeschool-waldorf-first-grade/

There is actually more on planning, but that’s a good start!

Blessings,

Carrie

• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/03/27/some-more-straight-talk-about-waldorf-homeschooling-of-first-grade/
• https://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/08/14/science-in-the-first-and-second-grade-waldorf-homeschool-curriculum/