1. Setting the Tone: Journal Writing
If you could be just like anything in the world, what would it be? Elaborate on why you would be this object, person, or idea.

2. Purpose What are you learning? Why are you learning this?
Identify similes
Why are you learning this?
To understand how to group the parts of a poem, so it will be easier to read and comprehend.

3. Grammar: Combining Sentences
Which sentences are correct?
Johnny went to the store and came home with a pack of chips.
I can run 2 miles, and my friend can only run 1 mile.
One late afternoon, Anne walked gracefully through the forest with the tall pines.
You can run, but you can not hide.
You can spend the night with me, but you can go home.
Combine the sentences.
ELA is a hard subject. It can be a fun.
Mrs. Beard is the principal of Loris Middle School. She wants us to do well on PACT.
The store is down the road. It is a grocery store.
The daisies swayed. They were beautiful. They swayed in the breeze. The breeze was tender.

4. Crafting the Lesson (Me)
A simile is a comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as”.
EXAMPLE: Her face was as round as a pumpkin.
Some Examples of Similes
Smells like flowers
As slow as a snail
White like snow
As light as a feather
Sings like an angel
As sweet as candy
As cold as ice

5. Crafting the Lesson (We)
Imagine a squishy snail As big as a wobbly whale, Imagine a large lark As big as a stout shark, Imagine a bumble bee Just like a snapping tree, Imagine a talking toad Just like a cracking road, Imagine a handsome hare As big as a colossal chair, Imagine a grinning goat As long as a zooming boat And a swishing flea
the same size as mini me
Does the poem have rhyme? If so, where?
Are there any alliteration or onomatopoeia?
Is there a refrain in the poem?
How many stanzas are in the poem?
Pick out the similes in the poem?

6. Composing Meaning (Two)
A Birthday
My heart is like a singing bird      Whose nest is in a watered shoot; My heart is like an apple tree      Whose boughs are bent with thickest fruit; My heart is like a rainbow shell      That paddles in a halcyon sea; My heart is gladder than all these      Because my love is come to me.
Raise me a dais of silk and down;      Hang it with vair and purple dyes; Carve it in doves and pomegranates      And peacocks with a hundred eyes; Work it in gold and silver grapes,      In leaves and silver fleur-de-lys; Because the birthday of my life      Is come, my love is come to me.
- Christina G. Rossetti
Composing Meaning (Two)
With a partner, read the poem, “A Birthday.”
Write down the number of stanzas
Use the letters of the alphabet to write down the different sounds.
On the left of the paper, write down the similes and the two dissimilar objects that are being compared.
Write down any refrains.

7. Composing Meaning (Two)
A Birthday
My heart is like a singing bird a
Whose nest is in a watered shoot; b
My heart is like an apple tree c
Whose boughs are bent with thickest fruit; b
My heart is like a rainbow shell d
That paddles in a halcyon sea; c
My heart is gladder than all these e
Because my love is come to me. c
Raise me a dais of silk and down; f
Hang it with vair and purple dyes; g
Carve it in doves and pomegranates h
And peacocks with a hundred eyes; g
Work it in gold and silver grapes, h
In leaves and silver fleur-de-lys; g
Because the birthday of my life i
Is come, my love is come to me. c
- Christina G. Rossetti
Similes
Heart – Bird (playful, happy)
Heart – Apple Tree (full of love)
Heart – Rainbow Shell (calm, peaceful)
Refrain:
My Heart is like ..
My Heart …
My love is come to me 1 2

8. Composing Meaning (You)
Read the poem, “The Willow and Ginkgo.”
On the left side of the paper, put a number beside each stanza, beginning with 1.
Use the letters of the alphabet to represent different sounds.
Underline the similes.
Write down the two dissimilar objects that are being compared.
Circle the refrains.

9. Reflecting:
What is a simile?
Give an example.