To teach first graders about the simile, I brought in photographs and little figurines of cats. After I explained similes, the class practiced creating similes about cats out loud. I used the students’ verbal practice as a way to check their understanding. Sometimes students will suggest “I like the cat’s pillowy paws.” To that, I counter that we aren’t using the word “like” to describe what we enjoy about the cat. Then we could rearrange the sentence into: the cat’s paws are like small orange pillows. That’s a simile.
Before beginning the solo writing part of the workshop, I give each group of students a picture or figurine to help inspire their similes. I enjoyed the students’ poems, and I think you’ll agree they are the cat’s meow.
My cat’s head looks round like a sun.
My cat’s ears look like a witch’s hat.
My cat’s eyes look like a hole.
My cat’s nose looks like an O.
My cat’s mouth looks like a wave.
My cat’s whiskers look like a stick.
My cat’s tail looks like a hook.
My cat’s legs look like an L.
My cat’s body looks like fur.
By Kevin, First Grade
(photo by babykailan via flickr)
posted by Amy Lin, Writers in the Schools