English Language Arts, 4th Grade
Lesson Title: Similes and Metaphors Through Today’s Hits!
Prepared By: Austin Vahle (Western Kentucky University- Teacher Candidate)
Ages/Grade of Students: 9-10 year olds/ 4th grade
Num ber of Students w/IEP/504: N/A
Num ber of ELL Students: N/A
Num ber of Students in Class: N/A
Num ber of Gifted Students: N/A
1. Context (1B)
This lesson was designed for student in a fourth grade language arts classroom. More
specifically, this lesson opens up a window of opportunity for the students to immediately become
engaged in the lesson by using popular musical selections to teach the differences between similes and
metaphors.
2. Objective (1C)
Objective: The fourth grade student will recognize and interpret the difference and meaning of
similes and metaphors through popular musical selections.
Standard Code and Statement:
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Standard: Students will be able to explain the difference between a simile and a metaphor.
Lesson Target: “I can recognize and explain the difference between similes and metaphors.”
3. Students’ Baseline Knowledge & Skills (1F)
Pre-Assessment Tool Description: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Strategy will be used to assess
student knowledge of similes and metaphors. (Thumbs up=yes; Thumbs down=no) The student will
be asked for a show of thumbs to show whether or not they have heard/know what a simile or
metaphor is.
Pre-Assessment Content Questions: 1.) Does anyone know what a simile is? 2.) Does anyone
know what a metaphor is? 3.) Yes or No: A Metaphor means contrasting? 4.) Yes or No: A simile is
comparing unlike things using like or as?
4. Formative Assessment (1F)
Assessment Tool Description: At the end of the lesson, an exit slip will be used to determine
whether or not the students understand the differences between similes and metaphors. The instructor
will play the YouTube video, “ Mrs. Kennedy’s ‘Simile or Metaphor’ Quiz.” This video plays
multiple music selections. The students will listen through each musical selection and individually
they will record their answers as to whether or not they believe the musical selection to include a
simile or metaphor.
Scoring Criteria: Score 12 out of 15 correct. Mastery= 80%; 15 correct= 100% passing; 14
correct= 93% passing; 13 correct= 86% passing; 12 correct= 80% passing; 11 correct= 73% not
passing.
Lesson Plan By: Austin Vahle
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Differentiated Assessment Description: (examples if this were ever needed)
Characteristics of 2 Students Selected for Differentiated Assessment: Students 1 and 2 each have
an IEP. The mentor teacher/teacher’s aide help the selected students based on their IEP requirements.
Type of Adaptation for Assessment for 2 Students: Student 1- Time: Student will be given more
time to complete the quiz, if needed the aide will replay the video for the student. Student 2- Time
and Input: Instructions for the quiz will be covered again directly with student by teacher, and
student will be allowed more time for completion, much like Student 1.
5. Resources (1D)
Description of technology used (teacher planning/instructional purposes and students: Computer
and projector will be used to show video clips of various musical selections for both the instruction and
the quiz. Speakers will also need to be available for this lesson.
Detailed Materials List (per student): The videos used in this lesson are listed below and are all
found on YouTube. Aside from the videos, the students will need a quiz form and pencils.
Videos used during lesson (all found on YouTube):
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“Mrs. Kennedy’s ‘Simile or Metaphor’ Quiz”
“Katy Perry- Firework Lyrics”
“Demi Lovato- Skyscraper Lyrics”
6. Lesson Procedures (1E)
Direct Instruction Sequence
• The teacher will lead the class in a grand discussion about today’s musical hits and how they
incorporate figurative language into their songs. Introduces similes and metaphors.
• The teacher introduces and explains the difference between similes and metaphors. (Direct)
• The teacher will show song selections that demonstrate similes and metaphors and explain with
the class how it furthers the storyline of the song. (Guided)
• The teacher will administer a formative assessment for independent practice. (Independent)
Direct Teaching (I teach you)
Review: I will begin the lesson by using the Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down strategy to begin asking
students the pre-assessment questions such as, 1.) Does anyone know what a simile is? 2.) Does anyone
know what a metaphor is? 3.) Yes or No: A Metaphor means contrasting? 4.) Yes or No: A simile is
comparing unlike things using like or as?
Hook: How many of you all listen to Taylor Swift, Katy Perry or Ed Sheeran? Did you know that the a
lot of artists use what is known as figurative language to write their music? In fact, I am going to play
Katy Perry’s song “Firework” to show you the ways in which popular singers use similes and
metaphors to further the stories within their songs. Be sure to pay close attention to ways in which Katy
Perry might compare different things. (approx. 1 min of song) After the video, the teacher will prompt a
discussion regarding the definitions of both similes and metaphors and the ways they were used in the
song. The teacher will then discuss with the class the ways in which the songs storyline was furthered
by the similes and metaphor in the lyrics.
Lesson Plan By: Austin Vahle
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Lesson Expectations: By the end of this lesson you’ll be able to say “I can recognize and explain the
difference between similes and metaphors.”
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Students will be introduced to similes and metaphors through the opening song and the discussion that
follows. This discussion will include the definitions and the differences between the two.
(Marzano Strategy: questioning) How does the similes and metaphors further ones understanding of the
song lyrics? It helps paint a picture in the audience’s mind of the story that the singer is trying to tell. It
provides a different perspective.
What is a simile? Comparing two unlike things using like or as.
What is a metaphor? Comparing two unlike things without using like or as.
High Order Thinking/ HOT question: Why do we need both similes and metaphors?
Transition Statement: Now we are going to look at another song and together we are going to determine
whether or not this song has similes or metaphors and how they further the song. Cue “Demi LovatoSkyscraper Lyrics” video.
Guided Practice (We do it together)
Students will listen to a piece of “Demi Lovato- Skyscraper Lyrics” video to determine the types of
similes and metaphors used in the song.
Together- Summary of Strategy: Each student will be partnered with his or her shoulder partner. The
teacher will begin a grand discussion by asking questions about whether or not the song had similes or
metaphors? How were they used to tell the story? How did these similes and metaphors differ from
those in the previous song by Katy Perry, or did they? The pairs will discuss with each other and raise
their hands to answer the questions prompted by the teacher (Heads together method).
Transition Statement: Now that we have looked at some similes and metaphors within songs and talked
about them a little bit, who thinks they absolutely know what similes and metaphors are? Followed by:
Who thinks that they could determine whether or not a song is using similes or metaphors? Followed
by: Now is your chance to show me!
Independent Practice (I do it myself)
Each student will complete an assessment independently to demonstrate if the objective is obtained.
• Assessment/Exit Slip- Student will watch the, “Mrs. Kennedy’s ‘Simile or Metaphor’ Quiz” in order
to complete the quiz. They will follow along with the video as the video plays through various
popular musical selections for them to view the lyrics to determine whether or not the song has
similes or metaphors. (Exit Slip template attached)
Closing
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Today’s lesson was about similes and metaphors and the ways in which they differ and work to help
tell stories, even through songs.
Now that we are familiar with both similes and metaphors, tomorrow we will learn other types of
figurative language and the ways in which those different types are used in writing that we see
everyday!
Lesson Plan By: Austin Vahle
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Name:________________________
Similes and Metaphors Quiz
Write whether each song selection contains either similes or metaphors. Only one answer may be in each
blank.
1.) Mean- Taylor Swift: ___________________________
2.) Cruise- Florida Georgia Line: ___________________________
3.) Happy- Pharell: _________________________
4.) Can’t Hold Us- Macklemore: ___________________________
5.) Firework- Katy Perry: __________________________
6.) Umbrella- Rhianna: ___________________________
7.) Super Bass- Nikki Minaj: _________________________
8.) Halo- Beyonce: _________________________
9.) Thinking Out Loud- Ed Sheeran: _________________________
10.) See You Again- Charlie Puth: ___________________________
11.) Life is a Highway- Rascal Flatts: __________________________
12.) Wrecking Ball- Miley Cyrus: _________________________
13.) Love Yourself- Justin Bieber: _________________________
14.) Stereo- Adam Levine: _____________________
15.) Hot n’ Cold- Katy Perry: _______________________
Lesson Plan By: Austin Vahle
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