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Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out

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Publisher : Gryphon House; Illustrated edition (September 1, 2002)


Language : English


Paperback : 192 pages


ISBN-10 : 0876592469


ISBN-13 : 65


Item Weight : 12.3 ounces


Dimensions : 7 x 0.4 x 10 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #136,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #79 in Experimental Education Methods (Books) #222 in Philosophy & Social Aspects of Education #1,677 in Instruction Methods


#79 in Experimental Education Methods (Books):


#222 in Philosophy & Social Aspects of Education:


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Some value here, but often disappointing
I helped to start a school in Laos and several visitors have commented that our approach has much in common with Waldorf schools, so I wanted to learn more about them. Overall, I found some helpful comments and insights here, but overall the book seems more like a collection of notes than a coherent overview of what Waldorf education means. Take this comment, for example: "Courses such as choral singing, stone sculpture, and eurhythmy [which he defines] are required courses for all students because they are essential in developing well-rounded individuals." Really? Does he mean you aren't well-rounded if you've never done stone sculpture? Or merely that it's good for kids to get exposed to arts and music as well as academics? If the former, I'd say he's a kook. If the latter, he needed an editor to help him say what he intends. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2019 by Sasha Alyson

  • Very basic
I liked it it was very basic overview of Waldorf education. It goes through the grades and just has small descriptions about what the child is going through developmentally and how the grades apply it. Very basic. If you want more details of Waldorf education I recommend Rhythms of Learning.
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2016 by alexandra aldrin

  • Core Principles, Clearly Presented
"It is my hope," writes author & Waldorf teacher Jack Petrash in this 2000 book, "that this book will convey some of the fundamental principles of Waldorf education in language that is accessible..." Overall, with one exception, the book does exactly this. It is short: about 150 pages with very wide margins and very large print, presenting some core principles in eight chapters. These chapters are titled and deal with broadening horizons; head, heart & hands; the Waldorf preschool; Waldorf grade school;Waldorf high school; the essential parent; a teacher's journey; and towards a truly humanitarian education. Each chapter tells its story through a vignette of a "typical" school, vignettes of what one might see in a Waldorf school, with frequent large illustrations, and brief clearly headlined paragraphs discussing the principles being enacted. For example, p. 64, under "The Grade School Curriculum" begins, "The Waldorf curriculum offers an organic structure that mirrors the developmental changes that take place over the grade school years" going on briefly to highlight that 12 year olds are interested in money and business math while seventh graders' preoccupation with their bodies is addressed through the subject of health and hygiene. Reading "Understanding Waldorf Instruction" can give a pretty clear understanding of the philosophy, beliefs, principles of this approach and some illustrative teaching/learning experiences. (Plus a fair amount of testimonials by some parents, teachers, and students.) This is what Petrash set out to do, and readers should not expect a how-to guide to being a Waldorf instructor. ANY ALERTS? As a researcher on early childhood and elementary/secondary education, I'm familiar with Waldorf as well as with other approaches and I can give Petrash a full four stars for doing well what he intends. However.Petrash elides how deeply infused Waldorf is with Steiner's profound belief that reincarnation, karma, and other supernatural, paranormal & spiritual phenomena are as real as the ground beneath our feet. He intended, in his educational system, to open the children to this understanding of the spiritual world as fully as the non-spiritual. The Wikipedia article on Steiner---a remarkable, passionate man---would be a helpful reference here. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2016 by Owl

  • Good read, awkward to hold.
Lots of great info but I couldn’t stand how awkward it was to hold this book. It was too big and too heavy to hold with one hand, yet too narrow for two hands while trying to lay in bed. The size truly ruined the read for me.
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2019 by Kristina Werner

  • Excellent
Though it’s now more than 2 decades on since the publication of this book, the message is still relevant and inspiring. I couldn’t read this fast enough! Definitely recommend for anyone interested in the Waldorf model of education.
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2021 by H.M.

  • Cute Book, Very Basic
Cute book, very basic. I was doing some personal research and had no clue what Waldorf was when I stumbled upon the name Steiner. I purchased this book to learn more. While this book did give me some insight, it was very small and limited. I would have liked some examples and more visuals. Maybe even a few how to's. This book is very basic and not as detailed as I would have hoped. I will need to read more books on Steiner and Waldorf education. Based on this book I know this style of education is one worth learning more about but this book did not give me enough information as to what and where to start. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2015 by CL

  • Informative
The glow of the book is off/weird, but otherwise was an interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2019 by Amazon Customer

  • Good read to understand the Waldorf Methodology
Good enough book to learn on the foundational principles of Waldorf education. Definitely worth reading if you are interested in a Waldorf school for your children and are looking into a more in depth understanding of the system.
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021 by Juan Pablo Gomez

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