Writing Similes and Metaphors About Classroom Objects
About this lesson
Children look at everyday classroom objects and write similes and metaphors to describe them, then sort their sentences by type. They practise comparing two unlike things and explaining what they share. You need a whiteboard, scrap paper, sticky notes and a few classroom objects. It takes about 15 minutes.
- Grade
- 5
- Subject
- ELA
- Time
- 15 min
- Prep
- 2 min
Objective
Students will write a simile and a metaphor about an object and explain the shared quality that makes each comparison work.
Prep
2 min: write the two definitions and one example on the board, then pick 4 classroom objects
Materials
- whiteboard and markers
- scrap paper and pencils
- sticky notes
- 4 classroom objects (such as a stapler, clock, eraser and backpack)
Steps
- Point to the board and say, 'A simile compares two things using like or as, and a metaphor says one thing is another.' Read the example aloud: 'The stapler is like a crocodile's jaw' and 'The stapler is a crocodile.'
- Hold up the first object and give pairs one minute to write one simile and one metaphor about it on scrap paper.
- Have three or four pairs read one sentence aloud while the class shows a thumbs up for a simile or a flat hand for a metaphor. Ask, 'What do these two things have in common?'
- Repeat with two or three more objects, challenging pairs to compare one specific feature such as shape, sound or job.
- Ask each student to copy their best sentence onto a sticky note and place it under a 'Simile' or 'Metaphor' heading on the board.
Quick Check
Scan the sticky notes to see whether each one is under the correct heading and makes a sensible comparison. Ask two students to explain the shared quality in their sentence.
Differentiation
Make it easier: Give a sentence frame on the board, such as 'The ___ is like a ___ because ___.'
Make it harder: Have students extend one metaphor into three linked sentences that keep the same comparison going.
Good For
- Before lunch
- End of day
- Supply teacher
- Review
