What's YOUR Metaphor?

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

4, 5

Overview

Flipgrid is an online resource that allows students to produce a video recording in response to a particular topic and then share it with teachers and classmates.

This activity gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of metaphor in a personal way. Students will reflect on their personal traits/characteristics, brainstorm an animal, object, etc, that shares similar qualities and write a speech about their chosen metaphor. Then they will perform, record, and share their speeches with the teacher and classmates through the online tool, Flipgrid.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

ELA21.4.10

Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

UP:ELA21.4.10

Vocabulary

  • Interpret
  • Figurative language

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies to identify word meaning in context.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Explain the meaning of words and phrases that are specific to the text.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Words and phrases, including figurative language, can have different meanings in different texts.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.12

Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

UP:ELA21.5.12

Vocabulary

  • Domain-specific vocabulary
  • Academic vocabulary
  • Figurative language

Knowledge

Student know:
  • Academic vocabulary is language that is more formal than spoken language.
  • Domain-specific vocabulary refers to words that are used specifically in school subject areas, like math, science, and social studies.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.
  • Strategies to determine the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns in text.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Interpret the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary, academic vocabulary, and figurative language as they are used in texts.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies they can use to interpret the meaning of academic and domain-specific vocabulary, including using context clues in the text, their background knowledge, the morphological structure of the word, and outside resources.
  • Words and phrases, including figurative language, can have different meanings in different texts.

Learning Objectives

I can create a metaphor to represent myself based on my personality traits.

I can write a short speech that presents a topic statement, gives supporting details, and has a logical conclusion.

I can speak clearly and with appropriate tone, volume, pace, inflection, and eye contact.

Activity Details

This activity makes for a fun way for students to make introductions and get to know one another. It would be appropriate after a class discussion on figurative language, in particular metaphors.  Here are some examples if needed.

  •  Students brainstorm something that could represent them as a metaphor and think of three reasons why. Use this What's YOUR Metaphor worksheet.
  • Once students have decided on a metaphor, have them draw (or print) it on one index card. Write their name on a second index card. Then "sandwich"  a craft stick between the two cards, with the drawing and the student's name showing on either side and tape together. Clip the end of the craft stick into a clothespin so the nameplate "stands up". Alternately, you could have them make a "tent" style nameplate with stiff paper or tag board.
  • After students have made their nameplates, review with them qualities of a good oral presentation (eye contact, appropriate pace, tone, volume inflection, etc.). The teacher may want to model this or record their own Flipgrid video to use as a model.
  •  Direct students to the Flipgrip link, or open the app if using iPads or devices.  The students use a code to access your grid. Have them practice recording their personal metaphor speech. They will probably want to do several "takes" before they submit it.  
  • When all the students have submitted their recordings, you can project them for the whole class to watch together, or students can view them on their devices individually.  

Assessment Strategies

A rubric can be used to assess personal metaphor speeches. An example rubric can be found here. Alternatively, Flipgrid has a built-in feedback rubric that teachers can complete for each student submission. The basic rubric rates the student on "Ideas" and "Performance" and provides a box for teachers to input text feedback.  the rubric can also be edited if the teacher wants to make it more specific.

 

Background / Preparation

The teacher needs to set up a free Flipgrid account. After creating an account, set up a class. Add this topic, Personal Metaphors, from the "disco library"  (library of pre-made topics).  

The teacher may want to create his/her own metaphor nameplate as an example and make his/her own personal metaphor speech recording to show the students.

Students will need access to devices that have a camera and microphone.

The teacher will need to provide each student with two index cards and one popsicle stick. 

Flipgrid
https://admin.flipgrid.com/manage/discovery/9713?ns=&search=Personal%20Metaphors

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

maandr01
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