Poetry Memorization

Mrs. Browning's Poems

I have decided to add poetry memorization to the kids' studies. I have fond memories of some of the poems that I memorized in school. The ones you really put to memory stay with you throughout your life.

Here is some information on poetry memorization:

Poetry Memorization: Methods and Resources

In Defense of Memorization

Developing Linguistic Patterns Through Poetry Memorization Book and CD's

Memorize a Poem

How To Memorize a poem

And I will leave you with two poems that I can still recite from my school years.

The first is one that I learned in high shool German class and even though my German STINKS now, I can still recite this poem:

Die Lorelei, by Heinrich Heine

Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten,
Daß ich so traurig bin;
Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten,
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn.

Die Luft ist kühl, und es dunkelt,
Un ruhig fließt der Rhein;
Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt
In Abendsonnenschein.

Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet
Dort oben wunderbar,
Ihr goldenes Geschmeide blitzet,
Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar.

Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme
Und singt ein Leid dabei;
Das hat eine wundersame,
Gewaltige Melodei.

Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe
Ergreift es mit wildem Weh;
Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe,
Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'.

Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen
Am Ende Schiffer uns Kahn;
Und das hat mit ihrem Singen
Die Lorelei getan.

Here is another that I memorized in elementary school. It still brings a smile to my face :)

Bear In There by Shel Silverstein

There's a Polar Bear
In our Frigidaire--
He likes it 'cause it's cold in there.
With his seat in the meat
And his face in the fish
And his big hairy paws
In the buttery dish,
He's nibbling the noodles,
He's munching the rice,
He's slurping the soda,
He's licking the ice.
And he lets out a roar
If you open the door.
And it gives me a scare
To know he's in there--
That Polary Bear
In our Fridgitydaire.