Writing and Journaling for the Waldorf Teacher

I’ve posted before about my love for bullet journaling.

This way of keeping myself organized and on task has really taken hold and made me realize how much I love an analog system. In my previous post, I wrote about the system I was using, and though I’m still using it, I’m constantly on the watch for more efficient ways of using my bullet journal.

My main question is about including my lesson plans in the same journal I use to organize my daily life. Right now I have a separate book for my lessons, and though I like having my lesson plans all together in one place, it is sometimes cumbersome to have two different books.

Many of you have let me know that you also keep a bullet journal. Do you use a separate book for your lessons? I’d love to hear your experience.

Fountain Pen Obsession

Many bullet journal enthusiasts love to use Sakura Micron pens. And though I do like those pens, if you ask me, there’s nothing like a good fountain pen. Over the years I’ve used lots of different brands of fountain pens and have come up empty in my search for a quality pen that is well-made and comfortable for writing. Many Waldorf students use the Greenfield fountain pen that is available from Mercurius, but it is somewhat expensive and doesn’t hold up very well.

I recently ordered a couple of different fountain pens to try and I actually really like them!

The first is the Pilot Petit 1 Fountain Pen. I ordered this 8-color set and I just LOVE it! the pens are quite small, but when you put the cap on the end (this is called “posting” the pen among fountain pen aficionados) it is just the right size for my hand. The ink flows nicely; the medium size nib scoots nicely along the page and the colors are so fresh and bright. Perfect for correcting or adding a splash of color to my journal pages.

The other pen I ordered is also from Pilot. It has an ergonomic grip and it is very light. This is the most comfortable fountain pen I have written with. Many pens have a ridge right around the grip to help make the cap snap on which is really uncomfortable under my hand for an extended period of time, but this one doesn’t have anything like that. I also like that the cap is lightweight enough that I can post it without upsetting the balance of the pen. I love that it is clear so I can see how much ink is left and the extra fine nib is nice for really small writing, but I think I will look into getting a medium nib pen also. The best part — this pen cost $7.

Notebooks

I also ordered a couple of my favorite notebooks, this time with a dot grid, instead of lined paper.

Many bullet journalists like the Leuchtturn 1917, which is what I’m using for my regular, personal journal, but I am so in love with my lesson planning notebook that I just had to order a couple more to use in the future. The paper in the Rhodia Webnotebook is an absolute dream to write on. I do wish that it came in bright white, instead of ivory, but the paper quality is so nice, I’ll happily compromise.

Incidentally, if you love good paper like I do, check out the Clairefontaine products. Their paper is bright white, the perfect weight and so nice to write one. (I actually read somewhere that Rhodia uses their paper for the Webnotebook.) If they only made a dotted book, I’d be all over it. I do use the Clairefontaine French-ruled book for my record-keeping, and I just love it.

Okay, well that’s enough writerly nerdiness for one post. If you’re a bullet journal fan, you might check out one of the Facebook groups I just became a member of — Bullet Journal Junkies or Minimalist Bullet Journals.

While you’re over at Facebook, come join the Waldorf Journey Teacher Tribe Facebook Group. There are always lots of great ideas, questions and answers being shared over there.