Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Similes and Metaphors

Content Area: English/Language Arts
Grade Level(s): 4th grade

Content Standard Addressed: ELAGSE4L5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word

meanings.

1. Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

Technology Standard Addressed: 6- Creative communicator

Selected Technology Tool: BrainPop

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

https://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/similesandmetaphors/

Type of Instructional Software:

☐ Drill and Practice ☒ Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☐ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
☒ Accessible to students beyond the school day
☒ Accessible via mobile devices
☒ Multiple languages
☒ Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☒ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☒ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☒ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

This lesson supports UDL in a variety of ways, one being that the content is represented in more than one
format. The students are provided with a brainpop video, written examples and with a kahoot game. The
class as a whole group discuss’ and creates examples of their own. The students are able to interact with the
content by creating their own comparisons. These comparisons are created based off of “background
knowledge” regarding their family. This allows the students to feel that the content is more relatable and
might make it easier for them to understand the content. The students are engaged in this lesson because
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they have various ways of learning the content. The students watch a video and then we discuss it as a whole
group which allows them to process their thinking. They aren’t diving right into the assignment which
provides them with time to think about and discuss the content. The kahoot game provides students with a
fun and engaging way to practice the content. These components support and enhance the learning
experience for students. These components do this by engaging the students in a variety of ways to learn the
content. Providing them with multiple means of representation allows the students to grasp onto the content
in the way that best suits their learning style.

Lesson idea implementation:

The teacher will begin by showing the students the video related to similes and metaphors. Once the video
ends, we will discuss the differences between the two. We will proceed by thinking of examples of the two
and then writing them on the board as practice. This will give students an idea before they begin thinking of
their own similes and metaphors. The assignment will begin by asking the students to compare their families
to an animal/animal’s. The students will have about ten minutes to think about the question and come up
with comparisons of their own. Once they have created their simile’s and/or metaphor’s they will post on the
padlet page. As a whole group we will then discuss the component’s that make up their comparison
statements. We will begin by revisiting the difference between simile and metaphors. Explaining how similes
compare things using like or as and metaphors compare things by saying that something is something else.
The students learning will be assessed based off of their responses on the padlet page. To extend the
students thinking to a higher level I will ask them questions throughout the lesson. “Have you heard any
similes or metaphors before?” “What do you think this means?” I will ask questions that get the students
thinking deeper about the two. To conclude the lesson, we will play a Kahoot game. This will be a fun way to
conclude what the students have learned. I will provide the students with statements and they have to decide
whether it is a simile or a metaphor. To provide the students with feedback I will reply to their padlet page or
address them individually.
Reflective Practice:
The activities I have created will impact student learning because the students are able to show what they
know. Students are able to share their responses and get feedback regarding their comparisons. The students
are completing their own type of formative assessment by playing the Kahoot game. I cannot see who
answered each one right or wrong, but the students can. This allows them to reflect on their understanding
and it allows me to provide further instruction to the whole group if needed. To further extend this lesson I
could have the students do a scavenger hunt where they find the similes and metaphors inside a poem. This
would allow the students to work together and expand their knowledge on the content.

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