LEBENDE UHREN

A “lebende Uhr” Is a clock formed with your arms. It takes some practice to figure out just which arm is going to be the minute hand and which one will count the hours so spend a second practicing before you meet your group. You can introduce the time expressions using a paper clock, chalk, twigs, or your own arms whatever.

Once villagers are familiar with “time” in German, have them begin to move your (the counselor's) arms to form the correct time in answer to your questions. For example you ask “Wann essen wir Frühstück?” and the villagers move your arms to the correct time position (be prepared for some wise “wenn die Glocke läutet!”). Repeat this a few times and then ask all villagers to form the answer with you, i.e., with their own arms. Next have them simply form the time that you say (z.B., “Es ist 12 Uhr!” They put both arms up.) It will take some time for them to get it--this is a good opportunity for them to help one another. Once everyone seems fairly comfortable with the forming a clock, start to point to students individually, using different commands and questions according to the level of your group.

Then form a circle and bring one person to the middle to act as a spinner. The person in the middle spins around, stops abruptly, and calls out “Es ist _________ Uhr!” The person he is pointing to must then form that time. If she gets it correct, play continues. If she happens to form 9:00 o'clock instead of 3:00 o'clock then she goes to the middle to be the spinner.