Similes and Metaphors
Similes and metaphors are phrases that compare two things that share common features.
Similes make comparisons using AS or LIKE. Here are three examples: My love is like a red, red rose. They fought like cats and dogs. As bright as a button. See more similes here
Metaphors make comparison WITHOUT AS or LIKE. Here are three examples: The classroom was a zoo. America is a melting pot. Life is a roller coaster. See more metaphors here.
Here are some great ideas for arts integration
Music Idea 1
Similes make comparisons using AS or LIKE. Here are three examples: My love is like a red, red rose. They fought like cats and dogs. As bright as a button. See more similes here
Metaphors make comparison WITHOUT AS or LIKE. Here are three examples: The classroom was a zoo. America is a melting pot. Life is a roller coaster. See more metaphors here.
Here are some great ideas for arts integration
Music Idea 1
- Listen for similes and metaphors in popular or folk songs. Students could also include similes and metaphors in their own songs.
Music Idea 2
- Listen to a song about similes and metaphors. Invite the students to keep the beat in a variety of ways while listening.
Music Idea 3
- Write song lyrics that (a) include similes and metaphors or (b) are about similes and metaphors.
Drama Ideas
- Assign groups or pairs of students a variety of similes and metaphors to pantomime. Play charades.
- Assign groups or pairs of students a variety of similes or metaphors to vocalize. For example, to demonstrate "flat as a pancake," students would speak in a voice without inflection (flat).
- Look for similes and metaphors in scripts and dramatic productions (movies or TV shows, for example).
Visual Art Ideas
- Play Pictionary using similes and metaphors.
- Read children's literature about similes and metarphors (see Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk by Brian P. Cleary). Discuss the illustrations as a class.
Dance Idea
- Assign groups or pairs of students specific similes and metaphors to demonstrate while moving from one side of the classroom to the other. (They were proud like peacocks. They moved as light as feathers. The children were balls of energy.)