ALEX Learning Activity

Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 1: Personification

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Tomiko Masuoka
System:Phenix City
School:Lakewood Elementary School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2766
Title:
Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 1: Personification
Digital Tool/Resource:
'Personification' by The Bazillions (YouTube)
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

Students will watch a video about personification. Students will identify examples of personification in the video and interpret their meaning. Students will write their own examples of personification using a Google Slideshow provided by the teacher.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 5
12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.
Learning Objectives:

  • Students will locate personification and interpret its meanings in context.
  • Students will write examples of personification.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:

1. Review the definition of personification--a form of figurative language used to give objects or ideas human-like abilities, qualities, or characteristics. 

2. Students will get out a sheet of paper. Tell the students they will watch a video about personification. As they watch the YouTube video, they will write down examples of personification on their paper. 

3. Play the video. Pause the video periodically so the students can write down examples of personification without being rushed.

4. After the video, allow students to share examples of personification they identified in the video. As you review these examples, discuss the meaning of each personification. For example, "The flowers danced in the wind" means the flowers moved together as the wind blew. Ask the students, "Why would an author use personification in a story?"

5. Next, students will open the Google Slide titled "Spooky Tales of 5th Grade." Tell students they are going to complete slides 2 and 3. They will use the non-human objects given and type their own example of personification. Give students some time to work independently. As students work, the teacher will walk around the room to answer questions and informally assess student understanding.

6. Students will share and discuss their examples of personification with a partner. Then discuss some examples they came up with as a class. Ask the students, "How could using personification help you write a good spooky story?" Discuss student responses.

7. Students will submit their Google Slides.

Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will review the personification Google Slides the students submitted. The teacher is looking to see if the student gave the non-human objects human-like abilities, qualities, or characteristics. 


Advanced Preparation:

The teacher will preview the YouTube video about personification.

The teacher will upload the Google Slide to the digital learning platform used by the students (Google Classroom, Schoology, etc.). 

Students will need paper and pencils.

Variation Tips (optional):
 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: Fictional Narrative, Figurative Language, Personification, Theme