ALEX Learning Activity

  

Metaphors and Similies

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  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Marcus Jackson
System:Chickasaw City
School:Chickasaw City Elementary School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2426
Title:
Metaphors and Similies
Digital Tool/Resource:
Time Out
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this activity, students will be taught how to recognize figurative language (similes & metaphors) in poems/poetry and give an explanation for the meaning of metaphors and similes used in poems/poetry.

 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 4
10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.
Unpacked Content
Teacher Vocabulary:
10.
  • Interpret
  • Figurative language
10a.
  • Word choice
  • Meaning
  • Tone
10b.
  • Figurative language
  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Alliteration
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole
  • Idiom
10c.
  • Synonym
  • Antonym
  • Homograph
Knowledge:
10. Students know:
  • Strategies to identify word meaning in context.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.
10a.
  • Words have nuanced shades of meaning.
  • Authors choose to use specific words to convey intended meaning and create tone in the text.
10b.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.
  • Examples of figurative language include similes, metaphors, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.
10c.
  • Words with opposite meanings are antonyms, and words with similar meanings are synonyms.
  • Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but not necessarily pronounced the same and have different meanings and origins.
Skills:
10. Students are able to:
  • Explain the meaning of words and phrases that are specific to the text.
10a.
  • Explain how the specific word choices of an author create meaning and indicate tone in the text.
10b.
  • Identify examples of similes, metaphors, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms in text.
  • Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of the text.
10c.
  • Use synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to interpret word meaning.
Understanding:
10. Students understand that:
  • Words and phrases, including figurative language, can have different meanings in different texts.
10a.
  • Words can determine the tone of the text and contribute to text meaning.
10b.
  • Figurative language carries meaning other than the literal meaning of the words or phrases, and authors choose to include figurative language in text to enhance the text's meaning.
10c.
  • The relationships between words can be used to increase vocabulary knowledge.
Learning Objectives:

The students will explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:

  1. Introduce the terms metaphors and similes to the students.

  2. Explain the difference between a metaphor and a simile--for example, both similes and metaphors compare two things. Similes use the words “as”, “like” or “then” and metaphors do not. “Robin is like a baby” is a simile because Robin is being compared to a baby using “like.” “Robin is a baby” is a metaphor because Robin is still being compared to a baby, but without using the word “like.”  Tell the students that authors use these figurative language devices to compare two, unlike things. By using comparisons authors are able to explain something more deeply in fewer words.

  3. The teacher may also choose to introduce alliteration as she teaches metaphors and similes.

  4. Tell students they will be listening to a poem that uses similes and metaphors. They will need to listen carefully and also read along as each word is read in order to identify the use of simile and metaphor. 

  5. The teacher will read the poem “Time Out.”  The teacher should provide a copy of the poem for the students to follow along as she reads the poem aloud. As the teacher reads the poem aloud to the students, the students should follow along using their index finger to track their reading.

  6. As the teacher reads the poem, point out a simile and metaphor. Draw a T-chart on the chart paper. On one side of the t-chart write the word simile and on the other side of the T-chart write the word metaphor. As you read the poem, choose a simile and a metaphor from the poem.  Write the simile/metaphor from the poem in the correct column.  Ask the students to underline the similes and or metaphors in their text, as you write them on the board. Explain the meaning of the similes and the metaphors to the students but also give the students an opportunity to explain their meaning of some of the similies and metaphors that they were asked by the teacher to underline.
Assessment Strategies:

Ask the students to underline the simile and or metaphor in the text, check each students paper to ensure that they have underlined the correct simile and metaphor that you have written on the chart paper. Students will share aloud the meanings of the similies and metaphors from the text.
Advanced Preparation:

The teacher should familiarize themselves with the difference between a metaphor and a simile. The teacher will also need- chart paper, markers, index cards, computers, projector/smart board.
Variation Tips (optional):

Students who struggle during the T-chart activity can work with a peer or be given examples of similes and metaphors to sort as a center activity.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

The teacher may use this resource as an introduction to teaching metaphors and similies in whole group or small group.  The teacher may also choose to introduce alliteration as she teaches metaphors and similes.
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: metaphors, similies, tchart