English Language Arts
Grade 4
15 min
Similes with pictures
Similes with pictures
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the term 'simile' and identify its key components.
Locate the comparison words 'like' or 'as' within a sentence.
Identify the two different things being compared in a simile.
Create original similes by observing details in a picture.
Explain the meaning of a simile and why the comparison makes sense.
Match a given simile to the correct picture.
By the end of of this lesson, students will be able to use similes to add descriptive detail to their own writing.
Have you ever seen a car so red it looked like a shiny apple on wheels? 🚗 Let's learn the secret trick writers use to make these fun comparisons!
In this lesson, we will explore similes, a special tool writers use to create vivid pictures in a reader's...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SimileA figure of speech that compares two very different things using the special words 'like' or 'as'.The new blanket was as soft as a kitten's fur.
Comparison WordsThe two words, 'like' and 'as', that signal a simile is being used in a sentence.In the simile 'He is as quiet as a mouse,' the comparison word is 'as'.
Figurative LanguageA way of using words to mean something different from their normal, everyday meaning to create a special effect.Saying 'Her smile is like sunshine' is figurative language; you don't mean her smile is literally the sun.
Descriptive DetailWords and phrases that help a reader imagine what something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels like.Instead of '...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Like' or 'As' Formula
A simile MUST include the word 'like' or 'as'.
This is the easiest way to spot a simile. If you see a comparison between two different things and it uses one of these two words, you've found a simile.
The Different Things Rule
A simile must compare two things that are not alike.
You can't compare a cat to a kitten; they are too similar. A strong simile compares two very different things to highlight a specific quality, like comparing a cat's eyes to marbles.
The Picture-Painting Rule
A good simile helps the reader create a mental image.
The goal of a simile is to make writing more vivid. The comparison should make sense and help the reader see, hear, or feel what you are describing more...
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Challenging
A picture shows a brand new, perfectly sharpened pencil. A writer wants to describe the pencil to emphasize that it is new and ready for work. Which simile would be the LEAST effective at conveying this specific idea?
A.The pencil's point was as sharp as a needle.
B.The pencil was like a soldier standing at attention.
C.The pencil was as yellow as a school bus.
D.The pencil's eraser was as clean as freshly fallen snow.
Challenging
A picture shows a huge, ancient, moss-covered tree with thick roots spreading across the ground. A writer uses this simile for the picture: 'The tree's roots were like anchors holding the world in place.' What abstract idea is this simile trying to convey about the tree?
A.The tree is a symbol of great strength, stability, and importance.
B.The tree is near the ocean where ships use anchors.
C.The tree is very heavy and cannot be moved easily.
D.The tree is made of metal, like an anchor.
Challenging
A picture shows a single lit candle in a dark room, its flame flickering gently. Consider the simile: 'The candle flame danced like a ballerina.' If the writer changed the simile to 'The candle flame fought like a warrior,' how would the feeling of the description change?
A.The meaning would not change at all, as both similes describe movement.
B.The description would change from a feeling of grace and beauty to a feeling of struggle and determination against the darkness.
C.The description would change from being about light to being about the heat of the flame.
D.The description would become less interesting because 'warrior' is a more common comparison.
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