Notes of Lessons: German, Class IV

[We have thought that it might be of use to our readers (in their own families) to publish from month to month during the current year, Notes of Lessons prepared by students of the House of Education for the pupils of the Practising School. We should like to say, however, that such a Lesson is never given as a tour de force, but is always an illustration or an expansion of some part of the children’s regular studies (in the Parents’ Review School), some passage in one or other of their school books.—Ed.]

Subject: German • Class IV

By M. Jennings
The Parents’ Review, 1906, p. 489

(Lesson given entirely in German.)

Objects

I. To introduce the girls to one of Schiller’s ballads.

II. To help them to read German fluently, so that they need not translate word for word.

III. To lead them to appreciate Schiller’s graphic, dramatic style and the beauty of his language.

Lesson

Step I.—Ask the girls what they know about Friedrich von Schiller and his principal works, supplementing their knowledge by some further details.

Step II.—Let them read the ballad “Der Alpenjäger” slowly, and explain in German any words they have not understood at the end of each verse, letting them give the English word.

Step III.—When they have read it once, let them read it through again fluently.

Step IV.—Let them narrate the story, using as much as possible the new German words they have just learnt.