When choosing a lesson to thoroughly review for this assignment, I chose one that I knew I could later use in my classroom with my 1st graders. We do learn about similes each year, so I chose a lesson that is used to help students better understand what a simile is.
Session 1
This lesson begins by simply looking at the pictures in any book that deals with sea creatures. While students are looking at the pictures the teacher should encourage students to finish statements such as, “The whale is as big as _________” or “The fish is scary like ______”. The teacher should record all of the students responses on chart paper or on the board. After looking through all the pictures the teacher and students can read all of the statements that the students generated. Then, ask the students what all of the statements have in common (they all use like or as and are comparing two things). Tell students to act like detectives for the next few days! Tell them to let you know when they hear, read, or think of a simile. Add the statements to the chart paper throughout the week. Students are then asked to make a stapleless book. I had never heard of these so I was really excited when I read about them. When the book is folded there will be a page on the right and a page on the left. Students should write their simile and draw a picture on both pages. For example, if the simile was “A shark is as scary as a tornado” the students could draw a shark on the left and a tornado on the right. I think this is a wonderful activity to help students visualize what is being said.
I personally love this lesson and think that it is very age appropriate. I love how the teacher begins by modeling similes. Modeling is so important for 1st grade students. I also love the stapleless book activity. This activity can help the students visualize what is being said and help them make the connection of what it means. I am really excited about this lesson and can’t wait to use it in my classroom!