Poetry (2020)

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 9

6th Grade

Lesson 3 of 17

Objective


Explain the difference between metaphor and simile. 

Explain the literal meanings of similes and metaphors.

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “What is the Sun?” by Wes Magee 

  • Poem: “Love That Boy” by Walter Dean Meyers 

  • Poem: “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou 

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Target Task


Question 1

Read the poem “Love That Boy” by Walter Dean Meyers. Identify the simile in the verses below:

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Sample Response

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What does the poet Walter Dean Myers literally mean by this simile? Explain your answer using details from the text.

Question 2

Identify the metaphor in the verses below:

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Sample Response

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What does Walter Dean Myers literally mean by this metaphor? In your answer, make sure to explain what is being represented. Use details from the text to support your answer. 

Key Questions


Read “(A Simile Like Love, A Metaphor is Love)” By Allen Steble. 

  • How many similes for love can you find in this poem? Make a list of them. 
  • Pick a verse from the poem and explain what is meant by the description of love. In your answer, make sure to explain what is being compared. Use details from the text to support your answer. 
  • Rewrite one of the verses and change the simile to a metaphor.
  • How many metaphors for love can you find in this poem? Make a list of them.
  • Pick a verse from the poem and explain what is meant by the description of love. In your answer, make sure to explain what is being compared. Use details from the text to support your answer. 
  • Rewrite one of the verses and change the metaphors to similes.
  • What is the major difference between the similes and metaphors in this poem? 

Read “What Is the Sun?” by Wes Magee.

  • How many metaphors for the sun can you find in this poem? Make a list of them. 
  • Pick a verse from the poem and explain what is meant by the description of the sun. In your answer, make sure to explain what is being compared. Use details from the text to support your answer. 
  • Rewrite one of the verses and change the metaphor to a simile.
  • Use the pattern of “What Is the Sun?” to write your own poem that includes metaphors. 

Read “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou.

  • What examples of similes or metaphors can you identify? Copy one example down. Explain what Angelou is literally trying to convey by this example of figurative language.

Vocabulary


literal language
figurative language
metaphor
simile

Notes


  • This lesson connects with a unit test question.
  • This day is a refresher lesson for Match sixth graders who have previously been taught figurative language in elementary school. If your students have not been exposed to figurative language, it is advised to stretch this lesson into two days. 

Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Next

Identify and interpret the literal meaning of personification in a poem.

Explain how personification affects the mood in a poem. 

Explain how the visual and aural depiction of the poem enchances or detracts from the meaning.

Lesson 4
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Lesson Map

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