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Parents not welcome in classroom?

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mama2fourboys	Parents not welcome in classroom?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (02/13/08 16:59:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None We just moved to another state and we are considering enrolling our children in a k-8 Waldorf school. I have admired the Waldorf method for years, but we never lived close enough to one and, until now, the tuition would've been prohibitive. My children were enrolled in a wonderful school that welcomed parents to come in "anytime". They literally really did mean that you could stop in any time and quietly observe, or arrange a time to volunteer. It was a large school and so warm, welcoming, organized, and full of love! The Waldorf school we are visiting seems to not welcome parents into the classroom, stating that it is disruptive for the children. I just came from a school with 700 children, 39 children per class with 2 full-time teachers (they cut the class in half for math and reading) and they were totally open to parents being a part of their child's education in the classroom. I just don't know if I can get over this. Also, we are sensing a bit of rigidity. Please, if anyone can comment on their experiences at a Waldorf school in regard to parental participation in class, and rigidness? Thank you!
canndw	Re: Parents not welcome in classroom?	#1	[-]
Posts: 103 (02/24/08 07:06:15) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi. You may have noticed that this website is pretty much abandoned, but here is a quick answer... In a waldorf school, most classroom academic activities are handled between the class teacher and the students. YOu are correct that parental participation in main lesson (especially) is discouraged or nonexistent. Some parents can't get over that, and view it as a deficiency on the part of the school. There are plenty of places for participation in the school, however, depending on the needs of your particular school and your interest. Asking is the best way to find out. IMO, rigidness or rigidity is in the 'eye of the beholder'. I have seen rigidness on the part of schools, teachers, and parents over my many years as a waldorf parent. Most disagreements can be worked out if approached with good will. Best of luck. David
powerofjoy2004	Re: Parents not welcome in classroom?	#2	[-]
Posts: 186 (04/27/08 16:15:52) Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It's my belief, based on what I know about Waldorf schools, that they do not want parents in the classroom except in controlled or staged situations because they do not want parents to witness the infusion of Anthroposophy and pseudo science into classroom activities. Regarding your comment about rigidity, mama2four boys, that is a criticism I have heard frequently from many different people. I certainly witnessed it myself when my children were in Waldorf. Hope you found a good school for your children. Best, Margaret Sachs
PK		#3	[-]
Posts: 644 (06/01/08 19:19:50) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Parents who witness Waldorf classrooms often report an uneasy feeling after seeing Waldorf teachers in action. For a Waldorf teacher to suddenly switch gears to a parent-appropriate lesson plan when a parent popped in would probably confuse the hell out of the children. Better you don't know... Pete Karaiskos
birdsong	Visits	#4	[-]
Posts: 1 (06/09/08 02:36:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	We had the opposite experience; our local public school refused to allow the child of friends of ours to visit the classroom to see if this would work for them. It turns out this is standard policy, whereas Waldorf schools seem to encourage several-day visits by applicants so that both sides can see if there is a good fit. We have also been welcomed into our children's classrooms, especially on Open days - which occur at least once a year, and in many classes more often - and also upon request. This was important for us during a period when there was a lot of social divisiveness in one of our children's class; parents visited and gave feedback to the teacher, which helped her and the school put changes into effect that resolved the situation. I can understand schools' desire to preserve the intimacy of the environment. On the other hand, they should respect parents' need to experience the teaching, as well. This is something that you might be able to talk to them about - tell them you understand their desire to create a deep level of experience and go from there. It's my impression that the schools are slowly opening up in ways like this. I genuinely don't feel that they are trying to hide anything, but are simply unused to teaching with adults in the classroom as well. They may not realize how impressed parents are - our school's Open days (we have ones for grandparents too) generally leave the visitors raving about the level of teaching - and the depth of it, which might be a reflection of the teachers' spirituality, but might simply reflect their dedication. And if there are problems, they are raised to consciousness here.
northernrefugee		#5	[-]
Posts: 3 (07/31/08 00:29:56) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Parents weren't allowed in the classroom at the Steiner school ours were; I'm sure now , that this was because they didn't want the anthroposophical stuff to be obvious. Our children left a year ago- they are still coming out with bizarre things that were taught to them; at the time, they didn't often comment, but were just glad to be out of it I think. The rigidity you mention was very apparent in the glimpses i saw; the children were bored stiff much of the time; a great deal of copying screeds from the board; they weren't allowed to question the word of the teacher, just take what he/she said without discussion. Alot of chanting and clapping to learn off by heart too. The paintings copied, with limited colours. As far as Steiner schools are concerned, the teacher has a "sacred task" to teach the children; they are seen as far more important than parents. Steiner said that the teacher has to undo much of what the children have learned from their parents. We aren't important, more of a nuisance! Birdsong- the open days are when they are on show- everyone would be impressed by the beauty of what's on offer; the open days are there to sell the dream.
PK	Why lie?	#6	[-]
Posts: 650 (08/17/08 06:30:27) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Waldorf schools seem to encourage several-day visits by applicants so that both sides can see if there is a good fit. They "seem to encourage" - hello? They REFUSE to allow day visits. Anyone can confirm this by simply trying to visit a Waldorf classroom in progress. Which Waldorf school do you know that allows visits by prospective parents? Name one please... (readers - we will now pause for a moment of silence) Yep... NO Waldorf school allows visits into classrooms by prospective parents.

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