Students become acquainted with the songlike rhythm of narrative poetry. Narrative poems present dramatic elements in a vivid way by using some of the same elements as short stories, such as plot, characters, and dialogue. Students read Alfred Noyes' poem, The Highwayman aloud in class. Following a brief discussion, students listen to the poem again on tape. Students are quizzed on the events in the poem.
Students examine the role rhythm plays in poetry.
Students will enjoy its haunting and humorous themes. Students read The Cremation of Sam McGee aloud in class. They use their knowledge of the components of narrative poems to understand the poem. Following the reading, students listen to the poem on tape. To set the spooky tone of the poem, classroom lights are turned off or dimmed.