SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS The editor believes that to get the best results in teaching German poetry, the following very general rules will be found helpful, being based on the classroom experience of many teachers: Do not hurry; take plenty of time. There can be no real appreciation of poetry without perfect understanding. Hence do not assign over 75 lines a day - a smaller number might be better. Translate into simple, informal English, keeping as near the literal as possible. Be sure that the pupils really understand it thoroughly. Do not use the poetry as a means of teaching grammar and conversation that is the surest way to kill appreciation and interest. Avoid all technical details as much as possible. It is better to translate difficult passages and expressions for the pupils than to cause the reading to drag and become burdensome. After making sure that the class understands the poem, have an informal discussion of its general meaning, encouraging all to ask questions. Lastly, read the poem again and again in German with emphasis on proper expression. Every poem should be read repeatedly, so that the pupils almost learn it by heart from the reading alone - this is essential and should be persisted in. It is time spent to the best possible advantage. Skimming over poetry only once or twice is almost worse than useless. What lasting impressions can be left? Constant repetition is most essential. As many of the poems as practicable at least twenty -should be memorized and recited as frequently as possible, with persistent emphasis on correct pronunciation and expression. No attempt should be made to go through the entire book without pause. It would be far better to spread the study of the poetry over at least a semester (half a year — eighteen or twenty weeks). Get thoroughly familiar with perhaps a dozen poems, and then read prose for several weeks; then read and learn a few more poems, and so on. Or, study poetry one or two days a week for a semester or a semester and a half. Much better results can be obtained this way than by hurrying through the book without pause and then putting it aside for good. Perfect understanding first, and then constant repetition in the original, are absolutely necessary to a permanent knowledge and appreciation of the poems. Teachers having any suggestions or criticisms to offer are urged to write the editor. EASY GERMAN POETRY FOR BEGINNERS 1. Morgenlied Steht auf, ihr kleinen Kindelein ! 5 Sei schön willkommen, lieber Tag! 2. Du bist wie eine Blume † Du bist wie eine Blume Mir ist, als ob ich die Hände 15 Betend, daß Gott dich erhalte So rein und schön und hold. Ungenannt Heine (1797-1856) Poems marked with a † are recommended as suitable for memorizing and frequent repetition in class. 3. Der weiße Hirsch † Es gingen drei Jäger wohl auf die Birsch, Sie legten sich unter den Tannenbaum : 5 Der erste: „Mir hat geträumt, ich klopf' auf den Busch: Da rauschte der Hirsch heraus, husch, husch! “ Der zweite: „Und als er sprang mit der Hunde Geklaff, 10 Da brannt' ich ihn auf das Fell, piff, paff! Der dritte: Und als ich den Hirsch an der Erde sah, Da stieß ich lustig ins Horn, trara! So lagen sie da und sprachen die drei : 15 Da rannte der weiße Hirsch vorbei. Und eh die drei Jäger ihn recht gesehn, 4. Einkehr † Bei einem Wirte wundermild, Uhland (1787-1862) 20 Da war ich jüngst zu Gaste; Es war der gute Apfelbaum, Bei dem ich eingekehret ; Mit füßer Kost und frischem Schaum 5 Es kamen in sein grünes Haus Sie sprangen frei und hielten Schmaus Ich fand ein Bett zu süßer Ruh' Nun fragt' ich nach der Schuldigkeit, 15 Gesegnet sei er allezeit Von der Wurzel bis zum Gipfel! 5. (1) Wandrers Nachtlied † Der du von dem Himmel bist, Uhland Was soll all der Schmerz und Lust ? Süßer Friede, Komm, ach, komm in meine Brust! |