The Cremation of Sam The Cremation of Sam McGeeMcGee

By Robert ServiceBy Robert Service

Warm-UpWarm-Up

1.1. What is it like to feel bitterly cold?What is it like to feel bitterly cold?

2.2. How does it affect the senses?How does it affect the senses?

3.3. Have you ever been really cold- so cold Have you ever been really cold- so cold that you thought you would never get that you thought you would never get warm again?warm again?

Take out your homeworkTake out your homework

I will be checking your work.I will be checking your work.

Let’s go over it and re-read the selection.Let’s go over it and re-read the selection.

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

What is internal rhyme?What is internal rhyme?

What is a ballad?What is a ballad?

How can I identify causes and effects How can I identify causes and effects when reading?when reading?

BackgroundBackground

The Yukon Territory is a region in The Yukon Territory is a region in northwest Canada. It is a semi-artic northwest Canada. It is a semi-artic region with long, cold winters. During the region with long, cold winters. During the Klondike Gold Rush in late 1890’s, many Klondike Gold Rush in late 1890’s, many prospectors went seeking their fortune. prospectors went seeking their fortune.

Winter’s average temperature is between Winter’s average temperature is between 0 and -20 degrees fahrenheit!!0 and -20 degrees fahrenheit!!

““Land of the midnight sun”Land of the midnight sun”

Robert W. Service, folk poetRobert W. Service, folk poet

Service worked as a bank clerk in the Service worked as a bank clerk in the Yukon territory during the early 1900s. Yukon territory during the early 1900s. While there, he learned about the lives of While there, he learned about the lives of local miners, hunters and prospectors. local miners, hunters and prospectors.

Service’s works are known for mystery, Service’s works are known for mystery, adventure and a playful spirit.adventure and a playful spirit.

BalladsBallads

Service is a folk poets often tell a story in Service is a folk poets often tell a story in dramatic verse. What do we call these?dramatic verse. What do we call these?Ballads can also refer to a story told in a Ballads can also refer to a story told in a song. Can you think of any musical song. Can you think of any musical ballads?ballads?Most ballads written in verse have 4 lines. Most ballads written in verse have 4 lines. Usually, the second and fourth lines Usually, the second and fourth lines rhyme. There is also a stanza which rhyme. There is also a stanza which describes the main characters and describes the main characters and situation immediately.situation immediately.

VocabularyVocabulary

1.1. CremateCremate

2.2. ParkaParka

3.3. LoathedLoathed

4.4. TriceTrice

5.5. HeedHeed

6.6. MushingMushing

7.7. MoilMoil

8.8. Brawn Brawn

a)a) Strongly dislikeStrongly dislike

b)b) A coat worn in snowA coat worn in snow

c)c) To burn a corpse until reduced to To burn a corpse until reduced to ashesashes

d)d) Short span of timeShort span of time

e)e) To listen and take seriouslyTo listen and take seriously

f)f) Great strengthGreat strength

g)g) To travel across snow by dog sledTo travel across snow by dog sled

h)h) To work hard, especially during To work hard, especially during times of great difficultytimes of great difficulty

Reading Guide p 636Reading Guide p 636

The story is about 2 The story is about 2 gold miners in the gold miners in the Yukon in 1896.Yukon in 1896.The story is a series of The story is a series of causes and effects.causes and effects.Use the sheet provided Use the sheet provided to chart the causes and to chart the causes and effects effects as we readas we read the the poem.poem.

True or FalseTrue or False

On the back of the vocabulary sheet, On the back of the vocabulary sheet, complete the true/false statements.complete the true/false statements.

If the question is false, circle the word, or If the question is false, circle the word, or words that makes it incorrect.words that makes it incorrect.

Internal RhymeInternal Rhyme

Internal rhyme – occurs within a single line Internal rhyme – occurs within a single line of poetryof poetry

Find the rhymes in this stanza:Find the rhymes in this stanza:

There are strange things done in the midnight sunThere are strange things done in the midnight sunBy the men who moil for gold;By the men who moil for gold;The arctic trails have their secret talesThe arctic trails have their secret talesThat would make your blood run cold;That would make your blood run cold;The Northern Lights have seen queer sightsThe Northern Lights have seen queer sightsBut the queerest they ever did seeBut the queerest they ever did seeWas that night on the marge, of Lake LeBargeWas that night on the marge, of Lake LeBargeI cremated Sam McGee.I cremated Sam McGee.

Quick Check Quick Check (under the warm-UP)(under the warm-UP)

1.1. Where was Sam McGee’s hometown?Where was Sam McGee’s hometown?2.2. What was Sam McGee doing in the Yukon?What was Sam McGee doing in the Yukon?3.3. On what holiday does the story begin?On what holiday does the story begin?4.4. Sam made a last request to his traveling companion, Sam made a last request to his traveling companion,

Cap. What does Sam request?Cap. What does Sam request?5.5. How did Cap feel about this promise later?How did Cap feel about this promise later?6.6. What happened to Cap’s sled dogs? How does this What happened to Cap’s sled dogs? How does this

make things worse for Cap?make things worse for Cap?7.7. Why was Cap unable to cremate Sam’s remains in the Why was Cap unable to cremate Sam’s remains in the

wilderness?wilderness?8.8. Where did Cap finally cremate Sam?Where did Cap finally cremate Sam?9.9. Hours after placing Sam’s body in the boiler, Cap has Hours after placing Sam’s body in the boiler, Cap has

the courage to look inside. What did he see in the the courage to look inside. What did he see in the boiler?boiler?

Sam McGee Sam McGee

Day 2Day 2

Warm-UPWarm-UP

1.1. What is the setting of the poem we read What is the setting of the poem we read yesterday? Remember to include where yesterday? Remember to include where and when.and when.

2.2. What is the cause of Cap’s anxiety?What is the cause of Cap’s anxiety?

3.3. What does it mean that the “dogs were What does it mean that the “dogs were spent”?spent”?

4.4. What would be the worst part of being in What would be the worst part of being in the Yukon during this time of year?the Yukon during this time of year?

Reviewing the PoemReviewing the Poem

1.1. Where was Sam McGee’s hometown?Where was Sam McGee’s hometown?2.2. What was Sam McGee doing in the Yukon?What was Sam McGee doing in the Yukon?3.3. On what holiday does the story begin?On what holiday does the story begin?4.4. Sam made a last request to his traveling companion, Sam made a last request to his traveling companion,

Cap. What does Sam request?Cap. What does Sam request?5.5. How did Cap feel about this promise later?How did Cap feel about this promise later?6.6. What happened to Cap’s sled dogs? How does this What happened to Cap’s sled dogs? How does this

make things worse for Cap?make things worse for Cap?7.7. Why was Cap unable to cremate Sam’s remains in the Why was Cap unable to cremate Sam’s remains in the

wilderness?wilderness?8.8. Where did Cap finally cremate Sam?Where did Cap finally cremate Sam?9.9. Hours after placing Sam’s body in the boiler, Cap has Hours after placing Sam’s body in the boiler, Cap has

the courage to look inside. What did he see in the the courage to look inside. What did he see in the boiler?boiler?

Purple Worksheet Purple Worksheet

Worksheet (Figures of Speech- first)Worksheet (Figures of Speech- first)

ThemesThemes

Themes are the universal truths revealed Themes are the universal truths revealed in a story. (Aka – ideas that go beyond in a story. (Aka – ideas that go beyond the plot of the story)the plot of the story)

What are some possible themes to “The What are some possible themes to “The Cremation of Sam McGee”?Cremation of Sam McGee”?

Quiz on Sam McGeeQuiz on Sam McGee

1.1. The sled dog team was ________ across the tundra.The sled dog team was ________ across the tundra.2.2. My mother suggests that I _____ her advice and do My mother suggests that I _____ her advice and do

what she says.what she says.3.3. It took only a ______ for the boys to get into serious It took only a ______ for the boys to get into serious

trouble with the teacher.trouble with the teacher.4.4. She diligently ______ed over the test to ensure that She diligently ______ed over the test to ensure that

she received a great score.she received a great score.

Word BankWord BankBrawnBrawn Loathed Loathed HeedHeed

TriceTrice MoilMoil MushingMushing

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. What mostly likely What mostly likely will happen to Cap?will happen to Cap?a.a. He will go crazy and He will go crazy and

die.die.

b.b. He will join Sam in He will join Sam in the fire.the fire.

c.c. He will have a party He will have a party in Sam’s honor.in Sam’s honor.

d.d. George will visit.George will visit.

2.2. Sam wanted to be Sam wanted to be cremated because:cremated because:a.a. He wanted his wife to He wanted his wife to

have his ashes.have his ashes.

b.b. His father had also His father had also been cremated.been cremated.

c.c. He did not want to be He did not want to be buried in an icy buried in an icy grave.grave.

d.d. Cap had suggested Cap had suggested it.it.

QuestionsQuestions

3.3. When Sam asked to When Sam asked to be cremated, Cap:be cremated, Cap:a.a. Agreed to carry out Agreed to carry out

the request.the request.

b.b. Pretended not to Pretended not to hear.hear.

c.c. Loathed the idea.Loathed the idea.

d.d. Adamantly refused.Adamantly refused.

4.4. While Sam was While Sam was being cremated, being cremated, Cap:Cap:a.a. Stayed nearby.Stayed nearby.

b.b. Went for a walk.Went for a walk.

c.c. Wrote a letter to his Wrote a letter to his family.family.

d.d. Searched for sled Searched for sled dogs.dogs.

QuestionsQuestions

5.5. How many days did How many days did Cap carry Sam’s Cap carry Sam’s corpse through the corpse through the wilderness?wilderness?a.a. 300300

b.b. 3030

c.c. 3 or 43 or 4

d.d. 11

6.6. Cap lit the boiler Cap lit the boiler using:using:a.a. Pieces of the sled.Pieces of the sled.

b.b. Nearby trees.Nearby trees.

c.c. Sam’s belongings.Sam’s belongings.

d.d. Planks from the cabin Planks from the cabin floor.floor.

QuestionsQuestions

7.7. ““And the dogs were And the dogs were fed, and the stars fed, and the stars o’erhead were o’erhead were dancing heel and dancing heel and toe,”toe,”a.a. similesimile

b.b. metaphormetaphor

c.c. hyperbolehyperbole

d.d. personificationpersonification

8.8. ““It’s the cursed cold, It’s the cursed cold, and it’s got right hold and it’s got right hold till I’m chilled clean till I’m chilled clean to the bone,”to the bone,”a.a. similesimile

b.b. metaphormetaphor

c.c. hyperbolehyperbole

d.d. personificationpersonification

QuestionsQuestions

9.9. Which is an example Which is an example of internal rhyme?of internal rhyme?a.a. ““Talk of cold! through Talk of cold! through

the parka’s folds it the parka’s folds it stabbed”stabbed”

b.b. ““And he wore a smile And he wore a smile you could see for a you could see for a mile”mile”

c.c. A and BA and Bd.d. Neither A or BNeither A or B

10.10. What is the theme of What is the theme of the selection?the selection?a.a. Friendship is Friendship is

everlasting.everlasting.b.b. Heed your mother’s Heed your mother’s

warnings about cold warnings about cold weather.weather.

c.c. The wilderness can The wilderness can be dangerous.be dangerous.

d.d. The mind can play The mind can play tricks when you are tricks when you are in an intense in an intense situation.situation.

Quiz on Sam McGeeQuiz on Sam McGee

1.1. The sled dog team was ________ across the tundra.The sled dog team was ________ across the tundra.2.2. My mother suggests that I _____ her advice and do My mother suggests that I _____ her advice and do

what she says.what she says.3.3. It took only a ______ for the boys to get into serious It took only a ______ for the boys to get into serious

trouble with the teacher.trouble with the teacher.4.4. She diligently ______ed over the test to ensure that She diligently ______ed over the test to ensure that

she received a great score.she received a great score.

Word BankWord BankBrawnBrawn Loathed Loathed HeedHeed

TriceTrice MoilMoil MushingMushing

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. What mostly likely What mostly likely will happen to Cap?will happen to Cap?a.a. He will go crazy and He will go crazy and

die.die.

b.b. He will join Sam in He will join Sam in the fire.the fire.

c.c. He will have a party He will have a party in Sam’s honor.in Sam’s honor.

d.d. George will visit.George will visit.

2.2. Sam wanted to be Sam wanted to be cremated because:cremated because:a.a. He wanted his wife to He wanted his wife to

have his ashes.have his ashes.

b.b. His father had also His father had also been cremated.been cremated.

c.c. He did not want to be He did not want to be buried in an icy buried in an icy grave.grave.

d.d. Cap had suggested Cap had suggested it.it.

QuestionsQuestions

3.3. When Sam asked to When Sam asked to be cremated, Cap:be cremated, Cap:a.a. Agreed to carry out Agreed to carry out

the request.the request.

b.b. Pretended not to Pretended not to hear.hear.

c.c. Loathed the idea.Loathed the idea.

d.d. Adamantly refused.Adamantly refused.

4.4. While Sam was While Sam was being cremated, being cremated, Cap:Cap:a.a. Stayed nearby.Stayed nearby.

b.b. Went for a walk.Went for a walk.

c.c. Wrote a letter to his Wrote a letter to his family.family.

d.d. Searched for sled Searched for sled dogs.dogs.

QuestionsQuestions

5.5. How many days did How many days did Cap carry Sam’s Cap carry Sam’s corpse through the corpse through the wilderness?wilderness?a.a. 300300

b.b. 3030

c.c. 3 or 43 or 4

d.d. 11

6.6. Cap lit the boiler Cap lit the boiler using:using:a.a. Pieces of the sled.Pieces of the sled.

b.b. Nearby trees.Nearby trees.

c.c. Sam’s belongings.Sam’s belongings.

d.d. Planks from the cabin Planks from the cabin floor.floor.

QuestionsQuestions

7.7. ““And the dogs were And the dogs were fed, and the stars fed, and the stars o’erhead were o’erhead were dancing heel and dancing heel and toe,”toe,”a.a. similesimile

b.b. metaphormetaphor

c.c. hyperbolehyperbole

d.d. personificationpersonification

8.8. ““It’s the cursed cold, It’s the cursed cold, and it’s got right hold and it’s got right hold till I’m chilled clean till I’m chilled clean to the bone,”to the bone,”a.a. similesimile

b.b. metaphormetaphor

c.c. hyperbolehyperbole

d.d. personificationpersonification

QuestionsQuestions

9.9. Which is an example Which is an example of internal rhyme?of internal rhyme?a.a. ““Talk of cold! through Talk of cold! through

the parka’s folds it the parka’s folds it stabbed”stabbed”

b.b. ““And he wore a smile And he wore a smile you could see for a you could see for a mile”mile”

c.c. A and BA and Bd.d. Neither A or BNeither A or B

10.10. What is the theme of What is the theme of the selection?the selection?a.a. Friendship is Friendship is

everlasting.everlasting.b.b. Heed your mother’s Heed your mother’s

warnings about cold warnings about cold weather.weather.

c.c. The wilderness can The wilderness can be dangerous.be dangerous.

d.d. The mind can play The mind can play tricks when you are tricks when you are in an intense in an intense situation.situation.

Culminating Activity - choiceCulminating Activity - choice

1.1. Write a script to turn the poem into a Write a script to turn the poem into a play.play.

2.2. Create a RAP about Cap from Sam’s Create a RAP about Cap from Sam’s point of view. It must be performed.point of view. It must be performed.

3.3. Make a comic strip telling of Cap’s Make a comic strip telling of Cap’s adventure.adventure.

4.4. Create a game to review poetry terms Create a game to review poetry terms and the poem. and the poem.

Poetry ScrapbookPoetry Scrapbook

Mixed UP Mother Goose (1)Mixed UP Mother Goose (1)

It Figure’s (one example of each)It Figure’s (one example of each)

Let’s Limerick (one example)Let’s Limerick (one example)

Cool as a Cucumber (2 examples)Cool as a Cucumber (2 examples)

Duck is a Stomachache (3 of your best)Duck is a Stomachache (3 of your best)

Bio PoemBio Poem

ConclusionConclusion

What is internal rhyme?What is internal rhyme?

What was the climax of the poem?What was the climax of the poem?

What does Sam request?What does Sam request?