ENGLISH LESSON PLAN

Similes and Metaphors

7^th grade English Language Arts

 

OBJECTIVES:

By the completion of this lesson, students will be able to define and identify similes and metaphors.  Students will be able to interpret similes and metaphors in a sample poem.  Students will be able to understand why poets use similes and metaphors in their work.  Finally, by using their understanding of similes and metaphors, students (in small groups) will practice creating their own similes and metaphors.

 

BEST PRACTICE PROCEDURES:

®  Students will be given definitions and examples of both similes and metaphors (may use Power Point presentation if technology in the classroom allows)  

®  Students will understand that these devices are uses of figurative language.

®  As a whole, the class will discuss how similes and metaphors make for vivid writing. 

®  In Power Point (or an overhead projector if Power Point not available) display the poem “The Fortress” by Anne Sexton.  Individual copies may also be distributed.  Read the poem aloud.

®  Provide a brief context of the poem for the students.

®  Ask individual students to identify the similes in each stanza.  Ask students to change the similes to make them metaphors. 

®  Does changing the similes into metaphors change the comparison or image projected?  If so, then how?

®  Ask the students what they think the similes and metaphors add to the overall picture of the poem.  Do they notice any patterns?

®  Have students get into groups of four or five.  One student from the group will select an item out of a “mystery bag”. 

®  The students will work in groups to create two similes and two metaphors using the item they selected from the “mystery bag” for inspiration. 

®  Each group will be required to make a Power Point presentation (5 slides) to be presented to the class on the following day.  Encourage students to be creative.  Suggest they visit Google to paste images detailing the similes and metaphors they have created.

 

 

CONNECTIONS:

The lesson’s objectives relate to Kentucky’s Learning Goals and Academic Expectations through

     1.2 Students make sense of the variety of materials they read.

     1.3 Students make sense of the various things they observe.

     1.15 Students make sense of ideas and communicate ideas with movement.

     3.7 Students demonstrate the ability to learn on one’s own

     4.1 Students effectively use interpersonal skills

     4.2 Students use productive team membership skills

     4.6 Students demonstrate an open mind to alternative perspectives.

 

KY’S PROGRAM OF STUDIES AND CORE CONTENT

1.     KY-RD.M.x.0.8> Make predictions, draw conclusions, and make generalizations about what is read.

2.    KY-RD.M.1>STANDARD: Literary Reading includes whole texts and excerpts from materials such as short stories, novels, essays, poetry, plays, and scripts.  The reading materials represent various historical and cultural perspectives. 

3.    KY-RD.M.1.0.12> Explain the meaning of a passage taken from texts appropriate for middle school students

4.    KY-RD.M.1.0.16> Identify literary devices such as foreshadowing, imagery, and figurative language (e.g. similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole).

 

LINKS:

v   For more information concerning Kentucky’s Learning Goals and Expectations please visit the Kentucky Department of Education.

v   Check out lesson plans from Marcopolo, a very helpful site for any teacher.

v   Visit my curriculum webpage or return to my homepage.