Research Institute for Waldorf Education

"Educational psychologists recognize two main kinds of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation takes over when we have a deep and genuine interest in a task or topic and derive satisfaction from the work or learning itself. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, gets us to work by putting the outcome like a paycheck or a good grade in mind. When what we’re doing feels fascinating, such as reading a book we can’t put down, we’re propelled by intrinsic motivation; when we pay attention in a class or meeting by promising ourselves 10 minutes of online shopping for seeing it through, we’re summoning extrinsic motivation."

Beverly Amico, Executive for AWSNA, had a fine piece featured in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) illustrating the outdoor education keeping Waldorf schools across the country open and lively! Take a lookhttps://oese.ed.gov/beverly-amico/

"Which is why, in recent years, scientists like Sinkkonen have taken this idea one step further. People are increasingly living in microbiodiversity deserts, they observed, missing out on exposure to a variety of harmless bugs. The immune system doesn’t recognize microbes by species, but by their type, says Sinkkonen. Probiotics usually contain only one or two types of bacteria, so it’s unlikely to activate the whole immune system. We wanted to see what would happen if we brought in a whole diverse microbial environment. Hence, the forest floors in the playgroundsthe first randomized controlled trial to test the biodiversity hypothesis in kids. Biohacking, but make it cute."

"Instead of spending hours studying, I ran for and was elected president of a local youth philanthropy initiative. I reformed my high school’s student ambassador program and welcomed scores of new students to a huge public high school in the midst of a pandemic. I challenged myself to read 100 books in a year and started tracking my progress in a new book blog." https://www.huffpost.com//college-admissions-tests-volunte

Now here's a fabulous way to spend Hallowe'en that isn't scary at all!! Lighforms Gallery in Hudson, New York (founded and curated by Martina Müller, Waldorf graduate and former Waldorf teacher at Hawthorne Valley School in Ghent, NY) is featuring "Soundforms," a musical event featuring a wind quintet, ConnectFive blending visual and musical art forms. The quintet is an extraordinarily talented group of young musicians eager to fill the world and Lightforms Gallery with their beautiful music! Space is limited (pandemic, and all!) but if you are quick you can reserve your free ticket here: https://www.lightformsartcenter.com/new-events-1

From our friends at Imagine a School Where! https://bit.ly/3jdv3oH

Click the link below to see the list and download the pdf! (Look for more in the days and weeks to come!) Waldorf Grade 1 Book Recommendation:... We will offer grade by grade book recommendations. There are too many books in all these lists, remember, to think that we are advising that anyone read them all. However, knowing what books are available can help in deciding about the one or two or three books (or more!) that might prove useful as a guide both for teachers and for students. Download a PDF of the Grade 1 Book Recommendations. https://www.waldorfpublications.org/collect/waldorf-grade-1

Last chance to save 15% on your total book order of $30 or more* Sale Ends Soon http://bit.ly/fomhar2020 Science kits, other items, and shipping costs will not count towards the $30 minimum purchase requirement. Must use coupon code fomhar2020 during checkout to receive the discount. No adjustments on previous purchases. Individual online orders only. Quantities are limited. Sale ends October 17, 2020 (11:59 P.M. PT) Shop now http://bit.ly/fomhar2020

In Waldorf kindergartens the world over, making soup and bread are regular activities in the rhythm of the week: "Sally Sampson, founder of ChopChop Family, a nonprofit organization dedicated to kid-friendly cooking that produces the kids cooking magazine ChopChop, says getting children involved makes them more inclined to eat varied foods. We found in our classes and in our photo shoots and in general that kids really like to show off what they’ve made. she says. So if you can get a kid to make a salad or a soup, they’re going to want to eat it, and they’re going to want to share it."

"Maine Coast Waldorf School High School Faculty Chair, David Barham, spoke to the school community about how Rudolf Steiner’s 101 year old message is precisely the message we need right now in 2020 as we head back to school. It was the Wildflower Ceremony for this year’s incoming first graders and, after introductions, David gave these inspiring words to help connect our school’s collective history to the history being made here in 2020."

Save 15% on your total book order when you spend $30 or more* http://bit.ly/fomhar2020 Science kits, other items, and shipping costs will not count towards the $30 minimum purchase requirement. Must use coupon code fomhar2020 during checkout to receive the discount. No adjustments on previous purchases. Individual online orders only. Quantities are limited. Sale ends October 17, 2020 (11:59 P.M. PT) Shop now http://bit.ly/fomhar2020

Congratulations to Ashwood Waldorf School!

Lake Champlain Waldorf School! and many others. "Schools across the country prepare to open outdoors. Due to the pandemic, New York City announced a plan to teach some children outdoors this fall, and a lot of other school districts have already committed to similar plans."