Let’s acknowledge that similes are not just for English class. Similes can present creative, fun, and deep means of synthesizing information across content areas. For this response type, the teacher will provide a selection of printed simile cards that students can use to create similes.
Here are some printable simile cards to get you started!
The Simile Card response offers several options for teachers to consider. In each of the examples the teacher offers a prompt such as, “The scientific process is like…” Students obtain a card and are given time to process. Ultimately, each student would explain their simile and share their reasoning. Some potential responses might sound like:
- The scientific process is like an onion because it has many layers.
- The scientific process is like a waterfall because it is exciting and scary at the same time.
- The scientific process is like a symphony because it requires harmony across different people and responsibilities.
Let’s consider how powerful these responses can be. A typical multiple choice assignment might rely on rote memorization of information. Plus, there is always an element of luck involved. This format might tell you what a student has memorized, but can it really tell you what a student understands or believes? No! Asking a student to create a simile about a particular topic of study can reveal a number of things- how deeply the student understands the information, how the student is able to apply the information, how the student can make connections to other learnings, etc.
Here are some different ways to help students select their simile cards:
The Simile Draft
Simile cards are spread face up around the classroom. Be sure to have more card options than students so that nobody gets stuck with a card that they didn’t choose. The teacher offers the prompt and gives students a few moments to process and plan. The teacher begins randomly calling a few students at a time, who each select a card and return to their seats. Try to minimize the number of students who are selecting at the same time to avoid arguments over a particular card. If you don’t want to call the students randomly, you might base the order on attendance or behavior.
Simile Pairs
For this option, the teacher will pass out simile cards to students, ensuring that each simile has an identical match. (If you have an odd number of students, make sure to distribute 3 copies of one of your cards.) Students will stand up and find the classmate who has the identical card. Each partner pair will then work together to come up with a great simile.
Make Your Own
After you have completed a number of simile activities where students can use the cards that you provide, they may be ready to make their own. Do not make this an exercise in who is the best artist. You can encourage students to make their own visual simile by drawing, cutting pictures out of magazines, or printing something that they created or found using a computer. This particular option makes for a good homework assignment. It is creative, fairly easy, and allows each student to work at their own pace.
Different Ways to Respond
Be sure to offer a variety of ways for students to share their similes:
Oral Responses- Students can talk about their simile in small groups or give a brief presentation to the whole class.
Written Responses- Students can write/type a sentence or paragraph and attach it to their selected simile card. You might also encourage email responses.
Virtual Responses- Let students be creative. Students might respond (orally or written) during synchronous instruction. For asynchronous responses, you might use e-mail or an interactive application such as Jamboard, Flip Grid, See Saw, or Padlet.
Remember that this activity works best with open-ended questions that allow students to form and express an opinion. There should be no obvious right or wrong answers and recognition should be given for effort. The important thing to remember is that you are not testing what the students were able to memorize about a lesson. This activity is designed to give all students a chance to synthesize and interact with what you are teaching.
Here are some examples of prompts for specific content areas:
English
- Poetry is like…
- The antagonist of this story is like…
- The writing process is like…
- My confidence with correctly using a semi-colon is like…
- Learning about similes is like…
Math
- Remembering the order of operations is like…
- Last night’s long division homework was like…
- Pi is like…
- Prime numbers are like…
- fractions are like…
Science
- The desert ecosystem is like…
- Working on my science project feels like…
- Being an herbivore is like…
- The vastness of the galaxy is like…
- Hurricane season feels like…
Social Studies
- Living during the Great Depression was like…
- My favorite historical figure was like…
- The electoral college is like…
- Democracy is like…
- Studying history is like…
Physical Education/Health
- Exercising once per week is like…
- Training for a marathon is like…
- A healthy diet is like…
The Arts
- Abstract are is like…
- Touching wet clay is like…
- Primary colors are like…
- Practicing my instrument every night is like…
- Listening to an orchestra tune is like…
- Listening to classical music is like…
