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TEKS ELA Standard: 5.10.D

describe how the author’s use of imagery, literal and figurative language such as simile and metaphor, and sound devices achieves specific purposes

smoke-breathing Godzilla tree
Jingle Bells on Wrenches
Extreme Closeup in Slow Motion
Blue Flames of Kawah Ijen Volcano
uses bioluminescence to glow
astonishing shot of a dust storm
sit on a dandelion
surreal woolen carpets
closeup of a guitar’s strings vibrating
Red Hot Cannonball in Water
“plays” a steel table like an instrument
insects take off
pancakes that look like bacon and eggs
unbelievable BMX stunts
Starling Murmurations
a rainbow effect called iridiscence
carves the most delicate patterns
the strange Fingal’s Cave
Lake Michigan Ice Breaking Away
shows off some of the techniques they used
Blanket Octopus unfurl its colorful skin
Banana Juggling by Joseph Viatte
lake as a musical instrument
a familiar Van Gogh scene
blend into its surroundings
That’s some impressive camouflage
played while submerged in water
Glass Armonica
Canon in D by Train Horns
Time-Lapse Volcano Eruption
Liquid Mercury Balloon in Slow Motion
A Mirror Made Entirely Out of Fur
Swimming Through a Lake of Jellyfish
Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli
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.
Gr 1-8
Super Specific Similes: Loud Class
Super Specific Similes: Loud Class
Let’s make this simile about a loud class super specific!
Gr 1-8
Five Sets of Bird and Bug Idioms
Five Sets of Bird and Bug Idioms
Five sets of idioms related to birds (and bugs).
Gr 2-8
Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite
Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite
Let’s start with “As cold as fire.”
Gr 1-8
Fancier Figurative Language: Move the Simile
Fancier Figurative Language: Move the Simile
What if we started a sentence with the simile?
Gr 3-8
Doubling Up Writing: Anadiplosis
Doubling Up Writing: Anadiplosis
Repeating words can be what you want, if what you want is an interesting effect. (Psst, that’s an example of anadiplosis!)
Gr 1-8
Writing Sample: The Jungle Book (Bagheera)
Writing Sample: The Jungle Book (Bagheera)
A passage from The Jungle Book to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Fancier Figurative Language: Advanced Repetition
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!
Gr 2-8
Advanced Alliteration and Consonance
Advanced Alliteration and Consonance
When students learn about alliteration, it’s hard to steer them away from goofy tongue-twisters. Certainly, there must be more powerful and practical ways of using alliteration. In this lesson, I draw on delicious examples from Shakespeare to show how a very advanced writer used alliteration. Then, I break those ideas down so students can try them out.
Gr 2-8
Writing Sample: The Wind in the Willows
Writing Sample: The Wind in the Willows
A passage from The Wind in the Willows to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Writing Sample: The Fall of the House of Usher
Writing Sample: The Fall of the House of Usher
A passage from “The Fall of the House of Usher” to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
Can students spot similes vs metaphors?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Describing Author’s Voice
Describing Author’s Voice
What if… Edgar Allen Poe wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8