Similes & Feelings

Lesson in brief: Students will explore anger using similes.

Introduction

Explain that this activity will foster creative thinking by asking students to make connections between things they don't usually think of as connected. Review or explain the meaning of simile: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared.

1. Ask the students to name the following:

• three machines or appliances (e.g., television, car, computer)
• two things found in nature (e.g., birds, rock)
• one activity people like to do that ends in ing (e.g., swimming)

2. Record their responses on chart paper.

3. Beginning with the first machine, ask "Anger is like a _____________ because ______________."

4. After receiving several responses from students for the first machine, go on to the second, and so on.

Discuss

• What are we saying about anger?
• Have you ever had an experience when your anger was like … (select an appliance, something in nature, etc.)?
• Were you satisfied or dissatisfied with your response? Why?
• What are some suggestions for reducing anger?

Pair Poems

In pairs, have students create a one-stanza short poem that incorporates similes from the previous activity. For example, using the simile "Anger is like a washing machine," the poem should build on why anger is like a washing machine.

Have pairs share their poems.

Evaluation

Ask the class, What is something you learned from today's lesson?