OAK MEADOW CURRICULUM REVIEW

OAK MEADOW CURRICULUM REVIEW | 1ST GRADE

Рет қаралды 16,932

6 жыл бұрын

I have to say, I wasn't expecting this. I know Oak Meadow has done an overhaul of their curriculum. They've updated, revised and tweaked their long standing success curriculum. I admit that I wasn't as taken by the 5th grade curriculum which Oak Meadow sent to me last year to review. That curriculum is with our charter school, as it was not sent to me in exchange for my review or video or blog post. This time around, my sister purchased the first grade curriculum for her son. Feeling overwhelmed and hesitant as to whether or not this was a good curriculum, she asked me to review it and share my thoughts with her. "Of course!" I said. Better yet, I'll share my thoughts with you, too.
First off, I'm impressed. Like very impressed. The curriculum is beautiful, seemingly easy to use, informative, and still retains some aspects of the Waldorf educational philosophy. The curriculum comes with some early readers and a word families booklet. In addition to the course book, the curriculum has a resource guides with all the stories needed to compliment the lessons in the core subjects. I'm most impressed with the record manual which includes easy step by step instructions on how to use the recorder so the teacher and student can gain this skill. It even looks user friendly for non-musical types who have no experience with reading or plying music.
If you want a traditional approach with a Waldorf flare, this curriculum may be the one for you. There are some materials which can be purchased separately like other resources materials that will help you achieve homeschool and teaching success as well as the supplies you'll need for school such as knitting needles, crayons, main lesson books and more.
You can check out my review of Oak Meadow's 5th grade curriculum here:
• OAK MEADOW CURRICULUM ...
Want to see the old curriculum compared to the Live-Education curriculum? Check it out here:
• HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ...
Here's the grade 5 Live Education curriculum review:
• LIVE EDUCATION WALDORF...
Check out the complete playlist of curriculum reviews on this channel:
• CURRICULUM REVIEW | AM...
Find more information at the Oak Meadow website:
www.oakmeadow.com/
Find me here:
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Пікірлер: 45

@wesproutwestendsprout4343 6 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful, I've been wanting to see a walk through for their 1st grade curriculum. :)

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Oh nice! What are you using this year for your youngest?

@hjannings 6 жыл бұрын

Ooooh, man! I wish I hadn’t already purchased our curriculum this year. This is lovely! I perused their website and saw that Oak Meadow offers a military discount, so that will be a win for us for next year. Thanks for the review.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Oh that's great to hear that they offer military discounts. Well, I must say, I was very impressed with the curriculum, and if you decided to use them in the future, I'd be surprised if it didn't work out. They only 'negative' feedback I got about the first grade curriculum is that the seasonal material doesn't work for all locations or for year round schooling.

@liadominique 4 жыл бұрын

I am so grateful for this video!!! I have not been happy using Waldorf Essentials now for the past three years and I was thinking of moving away from Waldorf altogether. I came by this video and it has shown me that it was not Waldorf that was the matter... but the curriculum I have been using. This video is so clear and on point with what is in the Oak Meadow materials that I now feel confident and ready to buy it. Thank you so much!!!

@anyah5013 5 ай бұрын

I've used Waldorf Essentials and found it very problematic as well. I've also used Lavenders Blue which was better, but I'm debating between that Lavenders Blue and Oak Meadow for first grade. Did you end up buying Oak Meadow and using it? What did you think?

@liadominique 5 ай бұрын

Hi there. I no longer do Waldorf. At the time of my comment I actually switched over to Charlotte Mason and it has been incredible. Way better than any Waldorf option. I use The Good + The Beautiful, Simply Charlotte Mason, Notgrass and Riverbend Press.@@anyah5013

@ESMEJENNINGS 6 жыл бұрын

There is so much about Oak Meadow I love. It is so gentle in the early years and incredibly user friendly and... you really feel like you almost get a degree with the guidance you get in their resources. It was such a hard decision for me. But we ended up not choosing it. Husband did not want a complete Waldorf curriculum in our homeschool. Not even Oak Meadow. Except, he loved their "Healthy Living from the Start" book. And shortly, I will be starting a Form Drawing Main Lesson with the Angela Lord's book you reviewed and used. I believe Oak Meadow ships anywhere but it gets really expensive to ship even to Alaska, although you can also buy some kind of PDF format. Their "Heart of Learning" book is one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you for another awesome curriculum review Hana! You are the best!

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks you for your feedback. May I ask which curriculum you ended up choosing. As for the Waldorf principles, they are pretty minimal with Oak Meadow as opposed to other Waldorf curricula. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on why he/you chose a different approach. The Angela Lord book is a feast for the eyes. I hope you have a wonderful time exploring that book.

@ESMEJENNINGS 6 жыл бұрын

Sure. My husband is kind of a Christian scholar. I was watching a video from the Christopherus curriculum and he told me that it sounded very new age, especially their name. And then mentioned some doctrine Rudolph Steiner had been a part of and asked me if I knew if he had been in it. I said I didn't know. Then he searched right then and told me all about that movement and how he did not want us to get involved in that. Then he researched some deeper teachings from the Waldorf curricula that seemed scary. I just like how hands on it is and that is very similar to Unit Studies. I really wanted a Constructivist approach (because our son had been in Montessori school), so Moving Beyond the Page was what I also wanted, but their IG's were a little difficult for me to understand (as opposed to Oak Meadow's). I deal with anxiety, so I needed something super easy and simple for my first year. I ended up choosing Sonlight even though I did not want a Christian curriculum. They had the friendliest guides for a first timer! And since I was going to have to add a daily devotional anyway, it was perfect. Hopefully next year I will try Moving Beyond the Page for 5-7 year olds in first grade. I love that they go over really practical things a 6 year old should know :)

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Esmeralda Ramírez yeah the deep philosophy of Steiner is not something I adhere to at all. I realize that makes it odd that I really like the waldorf approach, but I suppose I take what I love or change it to suit our needs. I separate Steiner’s philosophy from the waldorf educational philosophy. The educational curriculum was developed by a group of teachers, not Steiner by himself. But if I read deeper into the philosophy, I too wouldn’t want to follow it! So I keep it superficial.

@ESMEJENNINGS 6 жыл бұрын

So many things make great sense to me. I see how frustrated some moms and their 4 and 5 year old children are over reading and writing... On the other hand I see the wonderful things your daughter has enjoyed at that age and learned with you like baking bread and so many hands on projects, painting and creative form drawing before learning Spelling rules! I love that about Waldorf! Thank you for all you show and share from Waldorf for us Hana!

@NonaMaryGrace1952 6 жыл бұрын

I love that I have a lot of the books you showed. I play the recorder and am teaching my grandkids now. Love this review. I wish homeschooling was an acceptable way when my children were young. The only person that ever homeschooled in the 80's was my sister in law and she was given a hard time with the school district. We are in the state of New York. 💕

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Ah New York. I hear that's one of the more challenging states to homeschool. Your sister deserved recognition and an award. It's because of her and other trailblazers we have the freedom, support and innovation in education. I'm so thankful for her and others who put themselves on the line for us. I know many families have had to deal with state and county bullying, or doctors or neighbors or others calling the authorities on these families. I'm so thankful we not only can homeschool, but in California with some charter schools, we can receive funding to by educational material. We've come a long way.

@NonaMaryGrace1952 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing what you know. I ran my daycare as a little school and now I work with autistic children. I appreciate anything that you can offer in your videos. I use a lot of things I learn to help my grandchildren. Education is very important to me. 💕. NonnaGrace

@Christine1025 4 жыл бұрын

I have a question about introducing readers to children who are just starting to read, do you read it to them first round then have them read it? I can see my daughter asking me to read it out of her love for books and desperately wanting to hear it

@markburton4791 3 жыл бұрын

I can't seem to find the weekly planner download. Could you direct me to the link to download the weekly planner?

@extropianism 4 жыл бұрын

thank you

@amanysuleiman 4 жыл бұрын

Assalamu Alaykum Hanna :). Do you have any suggestions for online homeschooling programs?

@lakehouseschoolhouse698 6 жыл бұрын

Love this! Thanks for doing an in depth review. I can't decide what level is appropriate ...is 1st grade introducing letters? (maybe it says review) thx! I'll be pulling my 2nd grader from public school and starting a Kindy kiddo..

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes, first grade is letter introduction through to reading. The readers give a good indication of what the child may achieve by the end conclusion of the year.

@lakehouseschoolhouse698 6 жыл бұрын

If a new kindy kiddo knows all letters, 1-10, does simple add/sub,beginning to read, etc.....do you think OMK will be too simple? I just hate to buy a curriculum that is too easy! But also don't want to rush or skip...sometimes simple is good :) Thank you!

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Because the Waldorf principles that drive a curriculum aren't based on academic prowess and mastery, but rather on development, I do think sticking with the grade level is a good idea. There's a lot about the curriculum that nurtures the child as a whole. The stories that go with each lesson are chosen to mirror what's going on with the child (more so with the Waldorf curricula that adhere to the philosophy more closely). So while a child may not the academics, there's still value in the rest of the curriculum. But I understand being hesitant because of cost. In general, I go slower than the traditional model, so I'll be doing first grade with my 7 1/2 year old.

@lakehouseschoolhouse698 6 жыл бұрын

We are so programed now to push....(especially coming from public school)and one of the main reasons for HSing for us would be to slow back down...and that's part of what drew me to Waldorf in the first place.I think OM will have a good balance and 'security' with a well planned year, to just TRUST in the process :) Cheers! Thank you for the guidance

@mikithompson745 6 жыл бұрын

Now I’m really wishing I had gone this route. Still happy with Moving Beyond the Page but this is awesome!!!! Sending link to friend who’s just getting started. I think this would be perfect.

@ESMEJENNINGS 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Miki! This is funny! I was super torn between Oak Meadow and Moving Beyond the Page! I wanted something secular and ended up choosing Sonlight. Moving Beyond the Page is Constructivist which is an amazing way of teaching for a Kinesthetic learner and really anybody! But the instruction guides for the parent overwhelmed me because being Mexican I need very brief and concise directions. But boy, I love their curriculum. Maybe after a year of Sonlight, I will feel more comfortable using MBTP. I love their 5-7 level for when my son is in first grade.

@mikithompson745 6 жыл бұрын

Esmeralda Ramírez I’ve liked it BUT I don’t do everything. There is a lot of repetition so we pick and choose

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Ah the challenge with too many choices!

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Esmeralda, I think this comment explains why you didn't go with Oak Meadow. I didn't know MBTP was the Constructivist approach. I know very little about that philosophy. I didn't know it was the principle behind the curriculum.

@thewilddesk639 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Hana, I love your reviews! I’m currently extremely interested in Live Education Curriculum for 4th grade. I would love a review of the curriculum and the supplies for it. I have some supplies but am seriously a newbie. Unfortunately I’m in active treatment for aggressive breast cancer. I’ve been fighting since 2015. Maybe I’ve missed the review and you have a link? Thank you all your work is awesome.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Carmen, firstly, I hope your treatment is success. I can't imagine dealing with cancer for three years already. I hope and pray you have a speedy recovery. As for 4th grade, I have yet to record a comprehensive video. A friend is borrowing the curriculum and as soon as I get it back, I'll put together a video for it. The fourth grade curriculum is really fantastic for Live Education. My only worry for you (and others) is the time and effort commitment needed to do the curriculum and prepare. While I may end up spending more time than most creating our unit studies, I still feel that of the curricula I've seen, Live Education is more labor intensive.

@thewilddesk639 6 жыл бұрын

Pepper and Pine Yes that’s exactly where I was coming with this. I want to see how labor intensive it is. Oak Meadow might be a better fit but I would need 5th grade for him since we need North America History/Geography. Michael my son is autistic but is a genius in science/social studies/math but is in a 2nd grade reading comprehension and writing. This is why I feel making a switch to a Waldorf approach for his education would be beneficial and easier and a lot more enjoyable. I have completed the survey over at live education. Thank you for your help!

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Oh good. You're on the right track then. Here's my 5th grade Oak Meadow review. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jpmWmMeC0dCamJc.html

@michellechannell1219 6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful curriculum.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

It is :)

@RachelTeeKae 6 жыл бұрын

My seven-year-old grandson can’t get enough of Frog and Toad books. Oh, my gosh, those books make him giggle and giggle.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

They are delightful :)

@dawns7062 6 жыл бұрын

Great review. Very helpful.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dawn :)

@roshenaranizam5434 6 жыл бұрын

Assalamu Alaykum Hana. I really appreciate your videos. They are very helpful. I'm hoping to homeschool my sons (4 years and almost 2) insha Allah . I'd like to know if there is a way i can get in touch with you? I am new to homeschooling and I'd really appreciate it if i can get some tips and support.

@PepperandPine 6 жыл бұрын

Welcome to homeschooling! How exciting and yes, a bit overwhelming to begin with. Do you have a homeschooling support system where you live? I recommend getting in touch with your local group. Not only is that going to be helpful for support and answering questions, but your local community will know what's available in your area as far as homeschool activities and they will be the social support for your children. You can easily reach me via direct message on Instagram. After KZfaq, I'm on Instagram often.

@roshenaranizam5434 6 жыл бұрын

I am trying to get in touch with other homeschooling families in my area. I am not very sure how to reach a homeschooling group in my area though. I love your videos and how soft and loving you are with your kids. May Allah bless you and your family abundantly. Aameen.