Power and Symbols

When does a simple symbol have more power than a word?

Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli

Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.

Super Specific Similes: Loud Class

Let’s make this simile about a loud class super specific!

Idioms About Money

Five sets of idioms related to money.

Idioms About Fire

Five sets of idioms related to fire!

Idiom Tasks

Four fantastically terrific tasks for a weekly idiom study.

Idioms about Weather

Five sets of idioms related to the weather.

Idioms About Red

Five sets of idioms related to the color red.

Sets of Idioms Related to Numbers

Two sets of idioms related to numbers.

Five Sets of Bird and Bug Idioms

Five sets of idioms related to birds (and bugs).

Sets of Idioms Related to Body Parts

Five sets of five idioms, all related to body parts!

Sets of Idioms Related to Food

Five sets of five idioms, all related to food.

Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite

Let’s start with “As cold as fire.”

Fancier Figurative Language: Advanced Repetition

Is your students’ use of repetition limited to, “The girl was very, very, very fast.”? Let’s borrow some ideas from Shakespeare!

What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah

Can students spot similes vs metaphors?

Sets of Idioms

Why do we say ‘break a leg’? Five themed sets of idioms your students will actually remember.

Jabberwocky and Context Clues

Context clues lessons can be a disaster. Here, we expose students to a delightful classic packed with nonsense words (“Jabberwocky”) and ask them to decipher the meanings and parts of speech. Then, it’s only natural for students to write their own nonsense poems.

Introduce Symbolism with Pixel Art

Create a pixelated icon that represents the essence of a character!

Literary Technique: Juxtaposition

Put a grumpy character next to a joyful one and they make each other stand out even more. Opposites are powerful!