English · Year 3

Active learning ideas

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors

Active learning works for similes and metaphors because students need repeated practice comparing unlike things to grasp their power. When children move, discuss, and create together, abstract comparisons become tangible and memorable.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• EN2/3b
• EN2/2a

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Pairs

Pairs: Simile Detective Game

Provide short poems or picture books rich in similes. Pairs underline similes, discuss why the author chose them, and rewrite one using their own words. Share one rewritten simile with the class.

Differentiate between a simile and a metaphor with examples.

Facilitation Tip

During the Simile Detective Game, circulate and listen for pairs explaining why a comparison is a simile, redirecting any confusion about 'like' or 'as' usage immediately.

What to look for

Provide students with a short poem or paragraph. Ask them to underline all the similes and circle all the metaphors. Then, have them write one sentence explaining why the author might have chosen a specific simile or metaphor.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Think-Pair-Share
• 35 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Metaphor Object Challenge

Give each group everyday objects like a pencil or cloud picture. Groups brainstorm three metaphors for each, vote on the best, and write sentences using them. Present to the class for feedback.

Explain how similes enhance the reader's understanding of a description.

What to look for

Display images of everyday objects (e.g., a clock, a book, a tree). Ask students to write one simile and one metaphor for each object on mini whiteboards or scrap paper. Review their responses as a class, focusing on correct usage of 'like'/'as' for similes.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Simile and Metaphor Chain

Start with a simile about weather. Each student adds one simile or metaphor linking to the previous, building a class poem on the board. Read aloud together to celebrate the chain.

Construct sentences using metaphors to describe everyday objects.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'How does saying 'The moon is a silver coin' (metaphor) make you feel or imagine something different than saying 'The moon is like a silver coin' (simile)?' Facilitate a class discussion on the impact of direct comparison versus using 'like' or 'as'.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Think-Pair-Share
• 30 min · Individual

Individual: Personal Metaphor Journal

Students select five personal items or emotions and write one simile and one metaphor for each. Illustrate them. Compile into a class display for peer review.

Differentiate between a simile and a metaphor with examples.

What to look for

Provide students with a short poem or paragraph. Ask them to underline all the similes and circle all the metaphors. Then, have them write one sentence explaining why the author might have chosen a specific simile or metaphor.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should model think-alouds when identifying similes and metaphors in poems, showing how to visualize the comparison. Avoid overcomplicating by introducing too many types of figurative language at once. Research shows that focused practice on similes and metaphors first leads to stronger understanding before expanding to other forms.

Successful learning looks like students confidently identifying similes and metaphors in texts, explaining their purpose, and crafting original comparisons with clear comparisons. They should use 'like' or 'as' correctly for similes and omit them for metaphors in their own writing.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Simile Detective Game, watch for students labeling any comparison with 'like' or 'as' as a simile without checking if the comparison is between unlike things.

  During Simile Detective Game, provide pairs with a reference chart showing examples of similes and non-similes using 'like' or 'as.' Ask them to justify their choices by explaining how the things being compared are different.

• During Metaphor Object Challenge, watch for students dismissing metaphors as silly or meaningless because they equate two things directly.

  During Metaphor Object Challenge, have groups act out their metaphors for the class to reveal the emotional or visual impact. Discuss how metaphors create imaginative truths, not lies.

• During Simile and Metaphor Chain, watch for students assuming that only experts can create strong comparisons.

  During Simile and Metaphor Chain, collect all group ideas on the board and highlight the most creative ones. Praise effort and originality to show that creativity grows with practice.

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Methods used in this brief

• Think-Pair-Share