Figuratively Writing...IT's for the Birds!
Title: Figuratively Writing...IT's for the Birds
Subject: English/Language Arts
Grade Level: 3 - 4
Overview:
Students in grades three and four will study figurative language. The students will identify and use correctly literary devices such as personification, idiom, hyperbole, metaphor, etc. The students will identify one literary device and illustrate the meaning. These will be placed in a KidPix slideshow presentation. The students will write in correct format a thank-you letter using figurative language.
Approximate Duration: 3 - 60 minute lessons
Content Standards:
Standard 2
Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Standard 5
Students locate, select, and synthesize information from a variety of texts, media, references, and technological sources to acquire and communicate knowledge.
Benchmarks:
ELA-2-E2
focusing on language, concepts, and ideas that show an awareness of the intended audience and/or purpose (e.g., classroom, real-life, workplace) in developing compositions;
ELA-2-E4
using narration, description, exposition, and persuasion to develop compositions (e.g., notes, stories, letters, poems, logs);
ELA-5-E4
using available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety of works;
ELA-2-E5
recognizing and applying literary devices (e.g., figurative language);
ELA-2-E6
writing as a response to texts and life experiences (e.g.., journals, letters, lists).
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
Writing
Grade 3
26. Use a variety of literary devices, including idioms and personification, in written responses and compositions (ELA-2-E5)
27. Write for various purposes, including: informal letters; book reports and informational compositions that include main ideas and significant details from the text (ELA-2-E6)
Grade 4
25. Use a variety of literary devices, including hyperbole and metaphor, in compositions (ELA-2-E5)
26. Write for various purposes, including: formal and informal letters that follow a specific letter format, include relevant information, and use an appropriate closure; informational reports that include facts and examples and that present important details in a a logical order; book reports that include an opinion and/or a persuasive viewpoint (ELA-2-E6)
Information Resources
Grade 3
50. Use available electronic and print resources to draft, revise, and publish simple research reports, book reports, and other projects (ELA-5-E4)
Grade 4
47. Use electronic and print resources (e.g., spelling, grammar, and thesaurus checks) to revise and publish book reviews and research reports (ELA-5-E4)
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Science : Life Science
The students will become aware of the characteristics and life cycles of organisms and understand their relationships to each other and to their environment.
Science : Science and the Environment
In learning environmental science, students will develop an appreciation of the natural environment, learn the importance of environmental quality, and acquire a sense of stewardship. As consumers and citizens, they will be able to recognize how our personal, professional, and political actions affect the natural world.
Educational Technology Standards:
Use a variety of developmentally appropriate resources and productivity tools (e.g., logical thinking programs, writing and graphic tools, digital cameras, graphing software) for communication, presentation, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.
Use technology tools (e.g., publishing, multimedia tools, and word processing software) for individual and for simple collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities for a variety of audiences.
Objectives:
1. The learner will identify figurative language.
2. The learner will identify and describe several literary devices used in writing.
3. The learner will write a letter using correct letter format and one that incorporates literary devices.
4. The learner will write using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
Pencils
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Letter template
Take the Idiom Test
PowerPoint Introduction of Figurative Language
Track-Figurative Writing is for the Birds
Research Writing Guide
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Multi-Media Computer with Internet Connection
Software:
Inspiration
Microsoft Word
KidPixWebsites:
Animal Idioms Drag and Drop Game
www.learnenglish.org.uk/words/activities/animids02.html
Figurative Language
www.kidskonnect.com/FigurativeLanguage/FigurativeLanguageHome.html
Funbrain's.com Paint by Idioms Game
www.funbrain.com/idioms/
WordCentral
www.wordcentral.com/
Wordsmyth
www.wordsmyth.net/
Communicating with Cards: Figurative Language
english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/mother/figurative.html
Figurative Writing is for the Birds
trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number=246948
Letter Generator
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/Background Information:
The students should know what figurative language is and how it is used in writing and speaking; however, the students may not be familiar with some of the literary devices used such as onomatopoeia and metaphor. Most of the students will have experience working on a computer, but some may not have been exposed to KidPix.
Lesson Procedures:
- Day 1
- 1. Tell the students that we are going to explore figurative language and learn more about how it is used to develop writing skills.
2. Read Stellaluna to the class. Discuss the fact that animals cannot talk; however, when using figurative language in writing, sometimes animals are given life-like qualities. This is known as personification.
3. Using Inspiration, brainstorm with the class to create a web listing of books or movies in which animals can talk.
4. Discuss the term personification with the class. Examples of personification are the Geico lizard, Morris the Cat, Mr. Ed, etc.
5. Using the Introduction to Figurative Language PowerPoint, introduce to the students the literary devices. Also, allow the students to see how they will be expected to illustrate a literary device of their choice.
6. Take the students on a virtual tour of Black Bayou Lake to be inspired by nature to aid with our writing activities.
7. What are nature sounds that we can relate to "talking"? The sound of the wind, for example can be said to be the voice of the wind. This is a metaphor. Point out to the class the differences between a metaphor and a simile. Your voice is like the wind is a simile. Ask the students to make an exaggeration about animals at Black Bayou Lake. What literary device is this?
- Day 2
- 1. Say to the class, "Today, we are going to pretend that we are ducks, geese, etc., a bird of your choice. We will visit a Track, Figurative Writing is for the Birds, to collect information about your bird. This information will be used for writing activities in class.
2. While students are researching within the Track, the students will use the Writing Figuratively Research Guide as well as the Words I Don't Know List. The students are to list the words that are unfamiliar to them. The students will utilize the online tools, Wordsmyth and/or WordCentral, to locate and identify the word(s) listed.
Day 3
1. Review idioms with a whole class activity, Take the Idiom Test.
2. Students will work in groups to illustrate a literary device of their choice using KidPix. The illustration will be placed in the KidPix slideshow.
3. The students will write a letter on the stationery template illustrating figurative language.
The students will pose as the bird of their choice writing a thank you letter to our class for visiting Black Bayou Lake refuge, and to keep in mind the plight of the animals without a refuge.
4. Early finishers may use Microsoft Word and key in their letters.
Assessment Procedures:
Informal Thank-you Letter
KidPix Illustration of Figure of Speech
Completed Research Guide
Accommodations/Modifications:
Employ a "buddy system" or peer tutoring to accommodate exceptional learners.Use frequent eye contact as well as questioning techniques to help keep students on task.
Consult individual IEPs for additional modifications.
- Reproducible Materials:
Take the Idiom Test
Letter Stationery
Writing Figuratively Research Guide
Introduction to Figurative Language PowerPoint- Words I Don't Know List
Explorations and Extensions:
Students could become more aware of the use of figurative language in everyday life by observing billboards, signs and advertising campaigns.There are learning activities awaiting teachers and students at the Black Bayou Lake refuge.
Lesson Development Resources:
GLE Related Materialhttp://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/saa/1914.html
Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Company.
Contact Information:
Rosemary Dillingham
rosemary.dillingham@mcschools.net
Instructional Technology
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