Waldorfish

Waldorfish was founded by Brian and Robyn Wolfe, two seasoned Waldorf teachers with extensive experience in art and education. Launched to meet a specific need within the homeschooling community, Waldorfish offers a rich curriculum rooted in Waldorf principles but tailored for the home education setting. The program is designed to be easily integrated into homeschooling, emphasizing art and creativity. The founders' dedication is reflected in their personalized approach and the program's adaptation to homeschooling needs.

Differentiation

What sets Waldorfish apart is its specific focus on Waldorf art education through an online platform, making traditional and often inaccessible Waldorf art techniques available to a broader audience. The curriculum is comprehensive, offering courses in drawing, painting, and form drawing, suited for various age groups and skill levels. Its uniqueness lies in the blend of professional art education with the flexibility required for successful homeschooling.

How to Get Started

Getting started with Waldorfish involves choosing the appropriate course from their offerings, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The program is structured to allow for weekly lessons, which means families can integrate art education smoothly into their regular schooling schedule. Each course is clearly outlined on their website, making enrollment straightforward.

How It Works

Waldorfish operates predominantly online, with courses designed to be both open-and-go and parent-led, depending on the family’s preference. Each course typically requires a few hours per week, providing a mix of instructional videos and practical assignments. This setup helps accommodate different learning speeds and schedules, making it versatile for various homeschooling dynamics.

Educational Content

  • Drawing: Pencil, charcoal, crayon, and watercolor pencil techniques.

  • Painting: Watercolor (wet-on-wet and dry), acrylics.

  • Additional Techniques: Chalk drawing, form drawing.

  • Integrative Arts: Combining art with other subjects like geometry.

What’s Good About It

Users appreciate Waldorfish for its thorough approach to art education, which is not only about learning techniques but also about integrating art into daily learning and personal expression. The quality of instruction and the ease of access to materials make it a preferred choice for many homeschooling families looking to enrich their art education at home.

What Could Be Improved

While Waldorfish offers a robust curriculum, some users feel that the courses could benefit from more varied levels of difficulty within the same course to cater to different skill levels simultaneously. Additionally, while the online format is generally praised, some users miss the interactive element that face-to-face teaching can provide.

Advice from Parents

Parents recommend setting a consistent weekly schedule to make the most of the Waldorfish curriculum. Engaging with the community through forums and sharing artwork with peers can enhance the learning experience, providing feedback and encouragement that enriches the educational journey.

Ideal Fit

Waldorfish is ideal for families deeply invested in incorporating artistic education into their homeschooling routine who value the Waldorf education philosophy. It suits those looking for a structured yet flexible curriculum that emphasizes creative expression and personal growth through art.

Probably Not a Fit For

Families looking for a less structured, more exploratory approach to art might find Waldorfish too rigid. Those who prefer direct, hands-on teaching methods might also find the online format less engaging than traditional classroom settings.

Grades

Waldorfish is suitable for a wide range of grades, typically from early elementary through middle school.

Cost

The cost of Waldorfish courses varies, but most fall within the range of $30 to $200, depending on the course length and content.

Ways to Get It

Courses can be directly purchased and accessed through the Waldorfish website, which offers detailed descriptions and the ability to enroll online.

Explore more High Quality Art Curricula

Manisha Snoyer (CEO and co-founder of Modulo)

Manisha Snoyer is an experienced educator and tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience teaching more than 2,000 children across three countries. She co-founded Modulo with Eric Ries to help families design personalized educational experiences. Prior to Modulo, she and Eric founded Schoolclosures.org, the largest relief effort for families during the pandemic that provided a hotline, free online math tutoring, and other essential resources to support 100,000 families. As a an early mover in alternative education, Manisha created CottageClass, the first microschool marketplace in 2015. She is dedicated to empowering families to build customized learning solutions that address academic, social, and emotional needs. Manisha graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with degrees in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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