Hi honey thank you for making this video. I watched it twice to get my thoughts together. I love the child development portion, intro to the kindergarten year, and how it coordinates with seasons. Now separately I love some things about Oak Meadow & some about Live. What I liked about Oak Medow is the criteria sheets, large fonts, beautiful pictures in the fairytale book, love that you get a separate craft book, the way it's put together for me and the fact that it is aligned grade level wise with traditional curriculums. Therefore I am gonna go with Oak meadow .... For a while I was considering live so I could enjoy the year right along with your children but I am not sure it's the best fit & I found a great deal with oak meadow :) Now on to live I was so interested in it because I love how the curriculum is broken down into seasons ( 4 small books vs 1 large book) , I love that is gives you the rhythm laid out ( grain, color, etc), I love how thin all the books are, the fact it is authentic, the freedom to ice and choice as you desire vs follow the plan provided. I feel that's great in many ways but since I'm new to this method and style I am going with what's laid out for me! Less work on me although it would be easier in sure to teach multiple ages with live! Anyways great video thank you for taking the time to make it!!!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hey Kristy, you've summed up the video beautiful :) I think you're spot on for someone who is new to the philosophy. I think Oak Meadow makes a perfect transition curriculum, and I'm sure you'll be thrilled with it ;) -Hana

@tonyameadows9042

7 жыл бұрын

Ethnic Green Living Yes you did sum up my thoughts about it as well.

thanks Hana! I go back and forth between what to use for 1st grade. I really like how laid out Oak meadow is, but I also have a child who desperately wants to learn to read. I hesitate doing a reading program with him because he is still so young but also want to follow his lead.

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Rebecca, yes, the way Oak Meadow is laid out certainly makes it user-friendly. As for a reading program, you could do Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading or How to Read in 100 Easy Lessons alongside either curriculum if you are not following the Waldorf philosophy strictly. -Hana

@mammastrivinghigh

7 жыл бұрын

Rebecca Gonzalez If you see in the video within the Oak Meadow Curriculum, a letter every few weeks is gently introduced to the child and you can show them how its written, read a story with lots of words beginning with a particular letter and then they could think of other things that begin with that letter perhaps, then maybe do a crafty/nature activity perhaps collecting items that start with the particular letter :) Reading and writing doesn't need to be taught formally in my opinion with constant repetition of little words on the page, or writing them along with the alphabet & phonetic sounds.. But in a gradual magical way incorporating daily life :) My 2yr old is already using her favourite books to look at the pictures and remember the story of how it goes, which is the first stages of beginning to read :) Just let it happen naturally at their own pace, in their own time! xoxo

Lovely video Hana. Both curricula looks delightful!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Gemma :)

This was such a thorough and helpful comparison. Thanks for sharing this Hana

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you hear it was helpful. Thank you for taking the time to tell me :)

Stumbled upon this video through your Botany main lesson one... I was all set on Oak Meadow as a potential curriculum as a guide in my want to unschool my 2yr old daughter in a Waldorf way... Now you've made my decision harder, haha... Although the Live Education one seems to be much more expensive, so that might make the decision easier when the time comes. Also Oak Meadow has a pre-K curriculum which is what I'm interested in for next year potentially, although I'm also considering the local (10 miles/20-30min journey) Steiner/Waldorf School for Kindergarten (They take them for 3yrs from 3-6yrs, interesting to hear that technically Kindergarten is from 4.5-6.5yrs) too. I don't like the Christian-base that is celebrated though which seemed to appear a lot in the Live Education books too which Oak Meadow doesn't have, after recommendations from a pagan youtuber starting the kindergarten with her son in the Autumn/Fall :) xoxo Interested to look into the other curriculums others have mentioned- Christopherus, Earth School & Waldorf Essentials as well! So happy & grateful to live in this time with such an easy platform to share knowledge

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Olivia! I'm assuming that you'll wait on the academics until 1st grade? Based on your knowledge and previous comments, I'm thinking you want to stick more closely to a Waldorf education than not. As I look more closely at the Oak Meadow curriculum, it really isn't Waldorf education even though there are elements of Waldorf education throughout. The KG years are basically the years after toddlerhood and before the first major developmental transition around the age of seven. The KG curriculum for Live-Education is quite different from that of Oak Meadow for this time period basically because of the introduction of letters in the KG year rather than waiting until grade 1 as Live-Education does. A local Waldorf kindergarten would be fantastic if you can arrange it. Otherwise anything you do in your daily life and can an activity that your child can partake in. Cooking, cleaning and storytelling along with a lot of playtime is ideal for the KG years. -Hana

You did an excellent side by side comparison!

what do you think of earth schooling? I love the detailed live education curriculum so was wondering how earth schooling compares to that?

Hello, I had a few questions about these. First was: do you feel that the meadow oak teaches drawing as much as the live education does for the teacher through out the books? Second was: are the festivals and holidays Christian (overall?) ? Watching the winter book I noticed advent and Christmas. I was just wondering if the curriculums cover kwanza and Hanukah and other religions.

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Desiree, you ask some very good questions. First, the religious aspect of the curriculum for Live-Education is all encompassing. The holidays celebrated are religious as well as pagan. I didn't see my religion's holidays celebrated, but ours rotate through the year based on the lunar calendar. The curriculum is written with western cultures in mind, but it's not just for western cultures. The point of the holidays and celebrations for kindergarten, for instance, is because it is important (according to the philosophy) to celebrate (everything from holidays to birthdays) and to have tradition. For us, our holidays and traditions will differ, but it reminds me to make them something to look forward to and something to celebrate. As for the drawing techniques, you'll find it throughout each year of the Live-Education curriculum more so than in KG. For KG there are some pointers about watercoloring specifically, but as the children won't be doing a main lesson or having 'formal' education, there won't be drawing instruction. The Oak Meadow curriculum for KG went over some fundamental drawing techniques in accordance with the Waldorf philosophy that are very valuable and enough to begin the drawing process with your students. -Hana

This is an amazing review on the both curriculums, thank you for this video :-) I'm working my way through some of your videos, I'm struggling to decide on the curriculum and especially which books to supplement the curriculums with.....

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Oh Sunny, you are in what I would call the most challenging phase. Making decisions is so time consuming and often draining. I hope you find something that suits your needs, but know that almost any curriculum can be modified. If you are choosing between two that are similar, know that both would probably work well. I would only buy one grade at a time, though. In case it doesn't work out. Also know that Live-Education has a strict policy of no resaling curriculum. I don't know of other curricula like that, but I hope I've shared enough that you can choose with confidence.

I loved how you thoroughly compared both types. I've been wanting to know the similarities and differences between the two. I can't think of anything you missed. Do you think the actual content is the same or different enough that someone could gleam from getting them both, such as for my home daycare or for a classroom teacher, etc.

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I think the two are different enough you'll find unique approaches and info in each. I still think that Oak Meadow is easier to use, but I think Live-Education will work better for a home daycare as there aren't any formal academics. There are a lot of stories, songs and crafts as well as recipes. -Hana

@tonyameadows9042

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hana.

You seriously answered every single question I had with the 2 curriculums. Thank you so much! Have you ever heard of the Earthschooling curriculum? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that as well!

@PepperandPine

6 жыл бұрын

Oh good! I'm glad I could answer your questions. I know of eathschooling, but have not reviewed their curriculum.

@reliableroots

6 жыл бұрын

What about Christopherus? Do you have any review/thoughts about that curriculum?

@PepperandPine

6 жыл бұрын

I don't have an opinion about that one yet because I still need to review. A friend let me borrow part of grade 1 recently, so hopefully I'll have more to say on it.

@reliableroots

6 жыл бұрын

Pepper and Pine oh awesome!! Can’t wait!!!

love seeing this comparison. tfs Hana!

Another curriculum I've heard is very much aligned with Waldorf is Christopherus, have you ever used them? Thanks for sharing your comparison video Hanna, it's very helpful. :)

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I've heard of Christopherus, but I haven't had a copy of it to look through it. I've asked the company to lend me a copy for a comparison review, but so far they haven't been able to. I know that Christopherus is more Waldorf aligned than Oak Meadow, but I don't know how it compares to Live-Education. I'm asking around to see if I can get a copy to compare :) -Hana

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chrissy and Wesprout for adding these links. They will definitely be helpful to families who are still figuring it out. -Hana

Hi, I have been loving your videos and am so grateful for your experience and information. I'm narrowing my choices for curriculum and I'm wondering why you chose Oak Meadow as your other curriculum? I'm leaning toward Live Ed and Earthschooling.Is Oak Meadow a nice resource because it is so open and go? My children are coming from our local Waldorf school and may go back in the future. I love the philosophy so much, I would like to provide a similar and transferable experience at home. Thank you!!!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hello! Thank you :) I'm actually only using Live-Education. I borrowed the Oak Meadow curriculum to do the review because a number of people had asked my opinion about curriculum that is available for Waldorf homeschooling. I'm only just getting familiar with Earthschooling. I've borrowed that curriculum from my sister who ended up finding it not the right fit for her and her kindergartner. Of all the Waldorf curricula available, I only know of Live-Education and Oak Meadow that are written by Waldorf teachers, so the curriculum matches the schools pretty well and would be a good option if you intended to send your children back to the Waldorf school at some point. HOWEVER, the current Oak Meadow curriculum has become almost entirely traditional with only a few remnants of Waldorf philosophy present in the younger grades (and maybe even less with their updated revisions). Bottom line, if you think you're sending your children back to school or you want a more authentic Waldorf curriculum, I would suggest Live-Education. Let me know what you decide and how your year goes!

@CourtNBry

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for getting back so quickly! That makes so much since, I was really confused. I ended up choosing Waldorf Essentials, she too is a Waldorf teacher and a long time homeschooler. I only choose WE because this is my first year and she offers amazing support when you join the TFW. I'm thankful to have finally made a choice, we'll see where this leads us. Thank you again!!!

Thank you for this comparison!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome :)

Awesome thank you!!

Any thoughts on Waldorf Essentials?

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I don't have that curriculum to compare. Do you have it? Is it a complete curriculum? I don't know very much about that one actually. -Hana

@SparksandBubbles

7 жыл бұрын

I have it, I am also a lifetime member... Maybe I should do a video about it.... (time is running from me).... She has a whole online training for parents (TFW program) separated from the curriculum...and cannot be beaten price wise. I also like her "voice" and guidance.

@careyrowanoak5166

7 жыл бұрын

+Chloe BubblySoup Lavender's Blue Homeschooling Curriculum is another nice one but they don't have all the grade levels yet.

I'd looked at Oak Meadow a couple of times, I'd honestly never realised they were Waldorf!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I should have clarified that more to say Waldorf inspired :) The original writer of the curriculum is a Waldorf teacher with many years of teaching experience. Among Waldorf 'purists', Oak Meadow is not authentic to the Waldorf philosophy. Live-Education is pretty spot on to the philosophy as far as I can tell. I think both are great choices. Though I use the Live-Education curriculum as inspiration and as a curriculum in our homeschool, I feel the Oak Meadow curriculum is more user-friendly. -Hana

well explained mashaAllah

Have you done a comparison of the older grades for both Oak Meadow and Live Education? And, have you used Earth School at all?

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Cara, I will be doing a comparison for 1st grade (but it's the un-updated version of Oak Meadow), and a comparison for 5th grade (updated version of Oak Meadow) with Live-Education's curriculum. Though I have not used Earth School, my sister just bought that curriculum and she said I could see it to compare it and review it. I understand that Earth School is an e-curriculum that you print off yourself, so the cost is considerably less, but I have not seen it yet to compare it. -Hana

@kikiwylde

7 жыл бұрын

Pepper and Pine We used Earthschool last year. I would suggest against printing because there is just so much!

@tonyameadows9042

7 жыл бұрын

Cara Wales Good to know. Sometimes printing is more expensive depending upon cost of ink.

@tonyameadows9042

7 жыл бұрын

Pepper and Pine I'll enjoy seeing comparisons for other grades.

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

+This Whole Home, thanks for the tip about printing the curriculum. Is it just for the cost, or do you find that you refer to the virtual copy anyway? My sister and I are paper people, so having a hard copy allows us to thumb through it and make notations. I've noticed, I don't use it as much if it's on the computer (years ago I bought an ecurriculum for first grade). Our charter school will pay to print the curriculum, but I can advise against it if you still think it's not worth it. -Hana

Dear Pepper and Pine, I am looking for a website where I can as much English material I can to teach my daughter achieve a nice English level like closer to a native English speaker as we can, though we aren't natives. I am from Brazil, but actually I live in China and the only language we use here at home is English and for that reason my kids can understand both English and Chinese. So, would you have any suggestions of websites for kindergarten students with an entire year curriculum, games online, PDF stuff or even hardcover books and some videos of native teachers giving a class where I can use the topic of that class to teach them for the rest of the week? Thanks for your attention!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

What a diverse upbringing :) Will you teach her your native language as well? You can try this site for English language materials: www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/ I haven't used her material, but I hear good things from others who have. I hope that helps, but I invite other commenters to add their resources as well. -Hana

@markandra8720

7 жыл бұрын

Her mom is teaching her Chinese and I am Brazilian. Here in China, Portuguese is not important. Thanks, I will try it.

@mammastrivinghigh

7 жыл бұрын

Mark Andra It's not about the importance of whether its needed where you are, but to help educate her of her roots, her background and half of her cultural heritage. You cannot ignore your mother tongue by not teaching it to your child... that seems like madness & such a rude gesture towards your country and family in my opinion!

thanks

I was sad to see that Oak Meadow math didn't seem to have any crafts or captivating pictures to make it feel interesting. If they put more in their math like they seem to in the rest of their curriculum, then it would be the perfect curriculum for my family.

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

Hi Carey, do you like any of the math curricula on the market today like Teaching Textbooks, Math U See or Right Start Math? You could use a separate math curriculum if you like the rest of the curriculum that much. The younger years have the math gnomes which are quite interactive. I think that set comes separate, so you could easily add that to this grade. -Hana

@careyrowanoak5166

7 жыл бұрын

I looked more into Live Education's math book and found that I really like it so I think your video really helped me because the best thing for us is probably to use part of Oak Meadow's curriculum and part of Live Education's!

@PepperandPine

7 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you figured it out! Just a note, Live-Education doesn't sell the curriculum individually as far as I can remember, but you can certainly ask :)

Very nice I like really thumbs up beautiful