Reading in the Middle, Junior and Senior High Schools, Spring, 2010

I looked at a lesson called Slippery as an Eel: An Ocean Unit Exploring Simile and Metaphor. It was meant for students in kindergarten through second grade. This looked like a fun and simple lesson that would really get the students involved in learning and enjoy it.

First, you take a picture walk though a book about sea creatures. You talk about the animals and what the children notice about them. Then you prompt them to make similes. I like this part of the lesson. You get the children to make a definition of simile from what they learned from observations and the discussion. They don't need to know their real name or their real definition. They just need to understand that they are a comparison using 'like' or 'as'. I think that learning though experience and discussions are two of the best ways to learn something.

The next part of the lesson involves doing the same thing as the first part except the discussion. This time, you discuss metaphors. You get the kids to describe things by saying that the object they are describing is another thing. You get the kids to define metaphor the same way that you did for defining simile. Be sure to talk about the differences in metaphors and similes.

In the next part of the lesson, you discuss why authors use similes and metaphors. Then you give the kids a worksheet to do and have the kids practice making similes and metaphors. Last, you have the kids make a book of comparisons and have them illustrate them.

I really like this lesson and I think that it is easily adaptable for different learners. A science lesson on sea creatures can easily be incorporated into this lesson to make it more meaningful. I think that this is a great lesson that I can use in my classroom with any type of learner.

I agree Sydney! I love the fact that this lesson incorporates language arts AND science for students to explore and obtain knowledge from. I think that the ocean unit initally would grab and hold the younger audience in which this lesson is geared towards. There are so many colors, textures, aniamls, etc. in the ocean that it creates the perfect opportunity to use comparisions via similes and metaphors. I also feel that as special education teachers, this lesson could be easily adaptable as you mentioned earlier and could be used across a wide range of ages. Lastly, I think that the opportunities for discussion are beneficial for the students and give them a chance to share their booklets with their peers, that they made earlier in the lesson. This lesson also offers numerous opportunities to lead into the next lesson, perhaps continuing with the ocean theme.

I forgot to write my name in the last comment! Rochelle Medvec

Thank you Rochelle. That was a thoughtful response and I agree with you.

I think the anticipation guide was a good way to get the students thinking and interested in what the reading is about before they read it. I learned about a similar technique where you predicted what would happen in a reading to increase interest. The anticipation guide increased my interest and let me know what to pay attention to in the article.

I think the lesson you chose is great. I think you are right that it is adaptable and it sounds fun. I really like this. I think it was a great choice.