1. Title: Similes and Metaphors

2. Context: This is a mini lesson about similes and metaphors, and the difference between them. The lesson will be presented to a fourth grade class.

3. Objectives: SWBATDTU of a simile by writing a simile and using at least one in their writing. SWBATDTU of a metaphor by writing a metaphor and using at least one in their writing

4. Benchmarks: This lesson is consistent with Oregon’s writing standards.

5. Preparation and Materials– Create an overhead of four sentences that read:

The dog was barking.

The ant was small.

My cat is soft.

            The pizza smells good.

These sentences will be altered, by the class, to contain either a metaphor or simile.

6. Lesson Introduction/Set: (5 minutes)- On the board, I will write the words simile and metaphor, along with two example sentences of each. Students will be taking notes, which will be put in their writing folders for reference.

The sun was a fireball today.

My ice cream was a rock.

The ice cream was hard as a rock.

It was like an oven outside today.

Ask the students what they notice about the sentences, including differences and similarities. Write the student’s observations on the board. Highlight the main differences between similes and metaphors. Similes usually contain “like” and “as” and metaphors directly label.   

7. Sharing Objectives: (1 minute)- “Today we are going to change a few dull sentences into sentences with similes and metaphors.”

8. Learning activities: (10 minutes)- The class will go through the sentences on the overhead, changing them into similes or metaphors. After that, students can volunteer some of their own sentences, if there is time.

9. Closure: (2 minutes)- Students will apply the lesson to their writing. They are free to work on their writing and include either a metaphor or simile in one piece of writing. The writing will be presented at a conference with the teacher within the next two days.  

10. Student Evaluation: Students understanding of similes and metaphors will be assessed based on their appropriate usage in a student-written work.