Lesson Plan for Teaching Symbolism, Simile and Metaphor
Not what you're looking for?
I am an English teacher in a low income, rural area. My students are from diverse backgrounds and their learning styles are equally divers. I am trying to teach my class about tools that authors use to make their writing more engaging, focusing on symbolism, metaphor and simile. I started by developing a vocabulary handout that defines each word and includes examples for the students. However, an initial check of students' comprehension suggests they continue to be unable to understand the material. Most importantly, I find my students are unable to grasp the concept of "comparison," making concepts such as simile and metaphor allusive. Can you help me structure a 45-minute lesson that includes elements of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning? Suggest methods I can use to check student-comprehension after the lesson. How can I follow up with students in subsequent class periods to continue to check for comprehension and to remediate students who may still not understand?
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
This solution will give the student advice on how to better teach students in a low-income rural area the difficult concept of comparison through similes and metaphors.
Solution Preview
Dear Student,
Thank you for choosing BrainMass to help you with your assignment. I have a background in teaching English. I taught for 4 years in lower income regions with struggling students.
In the case study, the learning objectives of this class are laid out for you. Your ultimate goals are to teach the students authors use of 1. symbolism 2. metaphors and 3. similes. It says you have tackled vocabulary with definitions and examples, but students still do not understand what a comparison is (this is common, vocab must COME ALIVE for understanding and it does not do that on a simple vocab list) which is interfering with the comprehension of simile and metaphors. So you need to create a 45 minute lesson that includes checking for understanding, follow ups, and remediation for those who are still struggling.
The beginning of any lesson plan of any time length is to know your learning objectives. You are lucky, they are written for you. At the beginning of you lesson plan I would state those in bold or big font to make it clear what your "to-do" list is. Often times teacher even share these objectives with students and write them on the board before they even begin teaching.
You now need to decide how you want to deliver the material about the learning objectives to your students. This can be in the form of a lecture, a handout, an activity, supplementary material, etc. etc. I must tell you from my experience the best way to teach is a "I DO" "WE DO" and "YOU DO" model. This includes the teacher showing what a comparison is, then the students doing some sort of activity (whether group work or solo) that repeats what the teacher told them, the experimental stage, and then independent work to show mastery.
The teaching of comparisons can be difficult, especially if students from a low income region a) don't read very often or b) struggle in basic comprehension make figurative language even more abstract. The best advice I have for you is to use the material and introduce it to something they ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Reading Skills
What are some pre-requisites to teach reading? This quiz offers a brief description for a few literacy skils.
Interview Questions Prospective Teachers Should Consider
Teacher candidates might consider these questions before application and interviews.
Health and Safety Foundations for Individuals with Disabilities
The purpose of this quiz is to provide information relevant to assisting individuals with disabilities. This is a brief overview of services available.
Play-Based Learning
Play-based learning is imperative for early childhood development. This is a brief introduction to some of the components of the importance of this method.
Effective Communication
Effective communication is an integral component of success in all fields. This quiz briefly introduces some of the key aspects involved with effective communication.