CEClang.42


TITLE:    BUSY AS A BEE

AUTHOR:   Lorraine M. Tanaka, Sierra Grande Elementary
          Blanca, CO

GRADE LEVEL:  3 - 6

OVERVIEW:  Authors often compare two unlike things to make
their writing more interesting and to help readers make
mental pictures.  Comparisons that use the words like or as
are called similes.  Children can also learn to use similes
in their writing to make their sentences or stories more
descriptive and interesting to read.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this activity is to expose students
to similes and how they can be used in writing.  This
activity will allow students to "write" their own similes
without the pressure that is often found when we ask
students to write for us.

OBJECTIVE(s):  As a result of this activity, students will:
1.  Define the term 'simile'.
2.  Write their own similes using the words as or like.
3.  Work cooperatively to write similes.
4.  Write stories that will include similes.
5.  Illustrate picture books that contain similes.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED:
"Quick as a Cricket" by Don Woods
"The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists"
crayons
drawing paper
writing paper.

TIME FRAME:   1 WEEK

ACTIVITIES:
A.   Introduce similes to students by writing the word boy
     on the chalkboard. Tell the class you want to describe
     a boy. ( Not necessarily a boy in class).
B.   Write descriptions that the class might suggest under
     the word boy. Ask questions such as "how big?" or "What
     shade of blue?"  to any descriptions that are given.
     This will be the beginning of simile writing.
C.   After descriptions have been made, tell the class to
     compare their descriptions to things that are unlike.
     Example: "Eyes are brown as chocolate."  Continue to do
     this until all the descriptions have been compared.
D.   Write words such as clown, house, tower, apple, lion,
     baby, sky.  Tell the class to describe one of the words
     using a simile on a slip of paper. Students can then
     read their descriptions and the class can guess which
     word is being described.
E.   Read:  "Quick As A Cricket",  by Don Woods to the
     class. Discuss how the things compared are alike or
     unlike.
F.   Break up the class into groups of three. Pass out
     sheets of paper that have been prefolded into thirds.
     Each child in the group will have a special writing
     job.  Child One will write a short subject that
     includes a linking verb.  Child Two will write a simile
     in the second column (without looking at Column One).
     Child Three will write a phrase telling how, when,
     where, or why.  When the three columns are read
     together, some very humorous sentences will have been
     formed.

    Example: The tall boy's hair is / as thick as a rug /
when he runs.

     Continue to do this activity until each child has had a
     chance to write in all three columns.  Students will
     enjoy reading their sentences.

G.   Students will write short stories for younger children
     using similes in their sentences.  After proofreading
     and final copies have been done, students will
     illustrate their stories.
H.   Have Story Time where the students can read their
     stories to younger children.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
1.  Bind stories together and put book in the school
     library.
2.  Encourage students to use similes in all their writing.
3.  Use practice sheets with similes to assess
     understanding.

My Third Graders really enjoyed doing this activity.