Lesson Plan: Similes and Metaphors

Deidra Glaser

EDU - 214

Dr.Flowers

11/22/2107

Lesson Plan Topic​: Similes and Metaphors

Objectives​:

● In this lesson, students are introduced to using metaphors and similes in writing and daily

conversations, and discuss the meanings of various metaphors and similes.

● Students will compare and contrast similes and metaphors.

● Students will be able to identify and understand similes and metaphors in writing and

speech.

● Students will be able to create their own similes and metaphors.

Common Core State Standards​:

● CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4

○ Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including

figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

Materials​:

● The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

● Guided PowerPoint

● MicroSoft Word

● The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and The Lucanian portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.

● Video: "Similes and Metaphors" by The Bazillions

Similes and Metaphors 1

Procedure​:

Step One:​ Turn on guided powerpoint and go over what we will be covered for the day.

Step Two:​ Cover first two slides. The first slide asks the students what they think metaphors and

similes are, followed by the second slide which includes the standard definitions for similes and

metaphors. Introduce metaphors and how they enliven ordinary language. Creative writers use

metaphors as an efficient and economical way to use words, and also as a way to describe

subjects and feelings that are complex. Explain the importance of metaphors in our daily

conversations and how authors use metaphors to aid their writing.

Step Three:​ Present the next slide on metaphor examples:

Continue and expand on those definitions shared as a class and on powerpoint.

The next slides will cover several examples of metaphors including:

1.) "The sun was a diamond in the sky,"

a.) the writer suggests that the sun is brilliant, shining, sparkling, and many more

things that may take up more lines to describe in detail.

2.) "This room is an oven!"

a.) Ask the class the question:

i.) “Am I saying that this room is actually an oven?"

3.) "The motorcycle was an angry, snarling animal."

a.) Explain how the sounds and the movement of a motorcycle can remind us of an

angry animal.
Similes and Metaphors 2

b.) Call students' attention to the items being compared. Have students mimic with

body movements, etc.

4.) “School is like a toaster. You put something in and it comes out better than it was

before.”

a.) – Maddison, Grade 6

b.) Identify to students that even younger students can come up with metaphors and

be creative.

Similes Example on next slide:

5.) As black as coal.

6.) He is as strong as an ox.

7.) They fought like cats and dogs.

8.) As boring as watching paint dry.

9.) As brave as a lion.

Step Four:​ Discuss the similarities and differences between the two forms of writing. Have

students give reasons for their answers and discuss their interpretations as a class. Write possible

meanings on the board.

Step Five:​ Following there will be a video on Similes and Metaphors. This will take about three

minutes. However it is very informative and provides great examples and definitions of similes

and metaphors.

Step Six:​ After the ideas and concepts of metaphors and similes are understood by the students

present the next two slides which include the paintings of: The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci,

and The Lucanian portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.

Similes and Metaphors 3

On word document have students describe both paintings, and create one similes and metaphor

for each.

Step Seven:​ Have some of the students share their creations and thoughts.

Step Eight:​ Then show the poem, “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost. Have different

students read each stanza or read the whole poem to the class. During reading ask guided

questions such as, “What is he comparing,”and “Did he use a simile of metaphor anywhere?”

After ask the students what they think the whole poem is a metaphor for? Possible answers could

be life in general, or a having to make a choice not oftenly chosen. Have the students put the

answers on the word document.

Step Nine:​ Have students write their own reflections about the poem in the word document.

Step Ten:​ Have students finish up word document assignment and assessment by writing three

new metaphors and similes.. Help students with any questions or problems. Collect assignment.

Independent Practice​:

Students will be creating their own similes and metaphors. They will also be writing their own

reflections on what they think of the poem “The Road Not Taken.”

Closure​:

Students will be working on creating different metaphors based off of artwork in the slide. This

can be done alone, or while talking in class or groups. Students can also be listening to the

Similes and Metaphors video again if they like.

Similes and Metaphors 4

Possible Connections to Other Subjects:

Computer Literacy and Art Appreciation

Assessment​:

Students will complete a series of questions during and after presentation.

Including the following:

1. Create one metaphor and simile based off of the The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

2. Create one metaphor and simile based off of The Lucanian portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.

3. What is the “Road Not Taken,”by Robert Frost a metaphor for?

4. Create three new metaphors and three new similes.

Special Needs Accommodations​:

This lesson can be adapted for students with special needs by having the lesson and assignment

correlate along with the student IEP. The assignment can be done with more hands on examples

if need be, and along with more individualized instruction.

Similes and Metaphors 5

Rubric​: Grading for Similes and Metaphors Assignment

Categories: 25-16 15-11 10-6 5-0

Assignment The assignment The assignment The assignment The assignment

Completion is fully is mostly is partially is incomplete
completed with completed and completed with with practically
all of the only missing one only one or two no metaphors or
metaphors and or two of either similes and similes created.
similes created. the similes or metaphors
metaphors. created.

Class The student The students The students The student

Participation participation participation participation participation
during the class during the class during the class during the class
was above and was good and discussion was discussion was
beyond and provided minimum and little to none
provided thoughtful provided little provided no
insightful feedback while feedback while feedback while
feedback while discussing discussing discussing
discussing answers. answers. answers.
answers.

Grammar Assignment is Assignment is Assignment is Assignment is

written in written in mostly written in some written in mostly
complete complete fragmented fragmented
sentences with sentences with sentences with sentences with
proper few errors in some errors in improper
capitalization, capitalization, capitalization, capitalization,
punctuation and punctuation and punctuation, and punctuations and
verb tense. verb tense. verb tense. verb tense.

Total:
Similes and Metaphors 6

The Road Not Taken BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Similes and Metaphors 7

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.