Teaching Language arTs in The WaLdorf schooL

Speech and Recitation
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thanks (from within). This is how I think the children should feel
it, namely, the divine in light and in the soul. You need to attempt
to speak it with the children in chorus, with the feeling of the way I
recited it. At first, the children will learn only the words, so that they
have the words, the tempo, and the rhythm. Later, you can begin
to explain it with something like, “Now we want to see what this
actually means.” Thus, first they must learn it, then you explain it.
Don’t explain it first, and also, do not put so much emphasis upon
the children learning it from memory. They will eventually learn it
through repetition. They will be able to read it directly from your lips.
Even though it may not go well for a long time, four weeks or more,
it will go better later. The older children can write it down, but you
must allow the younger ones to learn it slowly. Don’t demand that
they learn it by heart! It would be nice if they write it down, since
then they will have it in their own handwriting. I will give you the
verse for the four higher classes tomorrow.
The verse for the four higher grades was
I look into the world;
In which the Sun shines,
In which the stars sparkle,
In which the stones lie,
The living plants are growing,
The animals are feeling,
In which the soul of man
Gives dwelling for the spirit;
I look into the soul
Which lives within myself.
God’s spirit weaves in light
Of Sun and human soul,
In world of space, without,
In depths of soul, within.
God’s spirit, ‘tis to Thee
I turn myself in prayer,
That strength and blessing grow
In me, to learn and work.