We are pleased to announce a series of informal and conversational 1 hour talks by Donna Simmons on a variety of topics. The full list of current talks is below. We are very interested in your comments and suggestions for upcoming topics as well as feedback on talks you've listened to. (Write donna (at) christopherushomeschoolorg)
Each talk is 1 hour long and for $14 you can download an MP3 file onto your computer and listen as many times as you like. Please respect our work by not sharing files with others - Christopherus is a small home-based business and is our only source of income.
Please note: you don't need an iPod or other MP3 player to listen to MP3 files. To our knowledge all the leading computer media software that comes free with just about every modern computer (like Windows Media Player or RealPlayer) can play MP3 files.
Please also note: In most instances, Donna recorded the grades talks several years before writing the corresponding curriculum. Therefore, some of what she says will not be completely in line with what she has written in terms of, for instance, sequence of main lessons or suggestions for blocks. The recordings are also created with the needs of "do it yourself" homeschoolers in mind and many DIY-ers have a looser relationship to the curriculum!
Thank you! Enjoy!
* An important note about your download(s):
Christopherus audio downloads are purchased online through PayPal's secure server (and remember, you no longer need to be a registered PayPal user to use this service). Just add the titles you want to the PayPal shopping cart (with or without any book purchases) and go through the check out process.
After confirming your order and clicking PAY, you will see a screen saying "You have completed your purchase". In order to download your purchase you must click on the button at the bottom of the page: "Complete Purchase". This should then either initiate download of the file onto your computer or, if you've purchased more than one talk, to a page listing your purchased talks with links to click to download. If, for any reason, there is a problem with the automated download process, you will also be automatically sent an e-mail (to the address you used in the PayPal check out process) with links to the downloads. You have 36 hours after making your purchase to download the files.
If you have any problems at all with this, please contact sales@christopherushomeschool.org
See below for customer reviews.
Title and Contents |
Details |
Purchase |
Free Sample Talk |
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Waldorf as Therapeutic EducationAt essence, Waldorf is a form of truly therapeutic education, valuing all aspects of the child - spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical. In the free download, Donna talks about how Waldorf can, in the home, help nurture and support our children, especially those with challenges such as autism-spectrum, OCD, SI, attachment disorders and ADHD/ADD. |
Price: FREE Running time: |
Download |
Grade by Grade: |
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The Pre-K Child at HomeTopics covered: the child's process of incarnation into the body; protecting the senses; the role of the mother; attachment parenting and Waldorf; early learning; family rhythms; older siblings; socialization. |
Price: $14
Running Time: 61 mins |
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Kindergarten at HomeTopics covered: a picture of the Waldorf kindergarten and what we can do at home; imitation, activity and rhythm; transitions and discipline; mood and reverence; creative play; the 6 year old kindergartener. |
Price: $14
Running Time: 60 mins |
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First GradeGetting ready for First Grade? Want to know what lies ahead for your younger child? This is an hour long talk on important and often overlooked aspects of First Grade such as mood; the relationship between painting and modeling; the recorder; the need to get the child into his body; and preparing for later academic excellence with subjects such as knitting and form drawing. Also discussion on first grade language arts and math. |
Price: $14
Running Time: 59 mins |
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Second GradeA detailed overview of the curriculum for Second Grade - language arts, math, science, handwork, movement and more - and how to work with this at home. Also, a general picture of what the 8 year old child is like and considerations for parenting. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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Third GradeThe Nine Year Change and how this stage of development is met by the Waldorf curriculum. Building, farming, math, music, movement and more! How parenting changes during this year. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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Fourth GradeA new degree of independence and working together; ways of parenting the 10 year old; getting more involved in your community including taking classes; Norse myths, math, local geography, Man and Animal, music, form drawing, painting and movement. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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Fifth GradeThe harmony and balance expressed by the fifth grade curriculum; viewing geometry, Greek mythology and history, and botany as flowing out of each other; geography; math; language arts; and the vast Ancient Mythologies block. Working with themes instead of blocks. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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Sixth GradeParenting and teaching the 12 year-old child. Working with the Waldorf curriculum at home: Roman history, practical math, language arts, art and science. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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Seventh/Eighth GradeThough the essentials of these two grades are quite different, there is a lot of overlap and possibility for flexibility between them. Donna discusses various strategies and goals for these grades. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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Waldorf High School at HomeDonna shares her experience teaching in a Waldorf-inspired high school and helps parents think through how they can homeschool high school. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 56
mins |
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Various Subjects: |
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The Changing Face of Discipline
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Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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NEW!
The Changing Face of
Discipline 2
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Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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Talking Pictorially and Living
Actively
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Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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Waldorf Co-ops
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Price: $14 Running Time: 58
mins |
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Unschooling and WaldorfAn in-depth discussion on how unschooling and Waldorf views on the child and learning differ; implications for how we parent and teach our children at home. This talk complements the Discipline talk particularly well. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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The Importance of SleepTips, ideas and advice on how to get your child to go to sleep easily at and early hour (whether you have a family bed or not) and why this is so vital for her health and wellbeing. For those with babies as well as those with older children who might have sleep issues. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 58
mins |
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Why Waldorf? Why Homeschool?For anyone new to Waldorf or new to homeschooling or who needs a pep talk. Also suitable for in-laws, grandparents, relatives, therapists and friends who need more information about the choices your family has made. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 61
mins |
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Children and Manners: Coming into the Social RealmHow do we help our children be wonderful to be around in the home and out? This talk addresses societal expectations; our own realistic expectations; the needs of children; and practical advice for babyhood into the teen years. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 59
mins |
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PlayWhy it is so important; play as a holistic experience; development of language; working with right and wrong via gun and sword play; play in groups; adults and play. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 51
mins |
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Transitioning to Waldorf 1Twelve points to help gently bring elements of Waldorf into your family life and home - including rhythm; less commitment outside the house; nurturing the senses; being child-inclusive and not child-centered; self-development as a parent and more. |
Price: $14 Running Time: 60
mins |
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All of the above recordings are copyright Donna Simmons 2006-9
Audio Testimonials
"... Your K audio is a gem -- I've listened to it twice and just love it. Thank you... It's pretty much on anytime I'm on the computer. You have a lovely voice, by the way.
"Thanks and thanks for coming up with this format. It's really a treat to be able to learn from you this way!
"Gratefully, Penny Egan"
"This download [Talking Pictorially] was particularly helpful – plenty of concrete examples... I had read your website article on talking to pre-schoolers some time ago and this download rounded it out nicely. And it works! Last night I was having trouble getting Rory to pick toys off the kitchen floor before dinner. It was a stalemate until I said, “Farmer Rory, all these vegetables need harvesting and popping over here,” and within minutes they were all put away.
"I also enjoyed the last part of the talk on children who chatter without pause all day long... I now feel like I have some tools to deflect it in a warm and pleasant manner, instead of responding to every question and comment.
"The download format is a great idea. It’s like having you in our home! It’s useful to be able to listen to it again and again, to stop and start if necessary. I look forward to more."
Cara (New Zealand)
Donna,
"I listened to your kindergarten talk this morning, twice, and now I want my husband to listen to it. I don't know why I need to be continually reminded about creating rhythm in our day, and not to ask questions of my daughter (i.e. which shorts do you want to wear), and singing songs to ease transitions, etc. etc., but it seems that I do. I've been on this journey with you as guide for over a year now, and I am just continually learning and re-learning as I go deeper and deeper in.
"This talk was just the thing that I needed to hear right now, and it is a very good supplement to the information I have gained on this list and in reading your Kindergarten with Your 3 to 6 Year Old and Joyful Movement books. I was also really struck by your words about the role of the mother in her children's development. I feel very fortunate to have found you as a guide in our homeschooling process, and I trust you absolutely!
"Also, it was such a pleasure to actually hear your voice, a first for me!
"Thankfully, Lynda Perry"
For more reviews of Donna's talks see here.