The document discusses figurative language and provides examples of similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeia. It then presents a story titled "A Day At The Farm" that uses various forms of figurative language. The story is about a girl named Madge visiting her aunt and uncle's farm for the first time and experiencing farm activities like milking cows and gathering eggs. Madge enjoys learning about country life and bonding with her family.

1. Online Action in Reading
A Day At The Farm
Mary Anne Ellis
RED 6545

2. Figurative Writing
• What does it mean to write figuratively?
– (to write creatively, to think abstractly, to compare two things that are different but
have something in common)
• What does it mean to be literal?
– (to say what you mean precisely)
•
Consider the following…
My love for you is as deep as the ocean.
I love you very much.
– Which one is more powerful? Why?
– Which one can you see?

3. Figurative Writing
• Similes - A figure of
speech that explicitly
compares two things
usually considered
different. Similes are
introduced by like or
as.
• “The realization hit me
like a ton of bricks.”
• “She is as playful as a
kitten.”

4. Figurative Writing
• Metaphor- a figure of
speech in which a term
or phrase is applied to
something to which it is
not literally applicable
in order to suggest a
resemblance.
• “You will be blown
away.”
• “Your room is a pigsty.”

5. Figurative Writing
• Onomatopoeia - the
formation of a word
such as, cuckoo, meow,
honk, or boom, by
imitation of a sound.
Different types of
sounds to consider:
– Animal sounds
– Sounds of air
– Collision sounds
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cuckoo
hiss
meow
moo
neigh
oink
purr
Quack
Gasp
Swish
Swoosh
Whiff
Whoosh
Bang
Clap

6. Your Turn…
• I have butterflies in my
stomach.
• Gentle as a lamb
• Brave as a lion
• Happy as a ______
• Playful as a ______
• Bright as a ______
• Listen for the figurative
language in the
following story. Give a
thumbs up when you
hear figurative
language.

7. A Day At The Farm
Madge’s mom came knocking at
her bedroom door.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
It was before the crack of dawn
and time to get moving. Madge
turned to wake up, moving as slow
as molasses.
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Q: What does it mean “the crack of dawn”?
Can you think of other expressions of time?
(Time is money. Time flies. Killin’ time.)
Q: Is Madge a morning person? How do you
know?
Q: What onomatopoeia expressions do you
hear?

8. A Day At The Farm
“It’s time to rise and shine,” said
Mom. “Today is your trip to the
country. We need to get dressed and
eat breakfast, lickety split.”
Those words were music to Madge’s
ears. She quickly changed her tune,
and began moving as fast as a
cheetah.
Snip. Snap. She was ready in no time.
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Q: What was music to her ears? How does she
feel?
Q: What metaphors do you hear?
(A: Changed her tune)
What simile do you hear?
(A: As fast as a cheetah)

9. A Day At The Farm
Madge heard about the country, but
she had not been there yet. This was a
first for Madge, and she was beaming
with excitement.
“You will have the time of your life,”
promised Grandpa.
Q: What metaphors do you hear?
Q: Have you ever been to the country?
If you have, did it look like this?

10. A Day At The Farm
They drove through the hills of
Kentucky.
Honk! Honk! The semi trucks
roared, and country music danced
across the airwaves.
The drive was as pretty as a picture.
The mountains full of rocks and trees.
Madge was excited about the day
ahead. She was busting at the seams.
Q: What onomatopoeia expressions do you hear?
Q: What use of metaphor and simile do you hear?

11. A Day At The Farm
Uncle John and Aunt Ida were
waiting as Madge and her
Grandpa arrived. Family was very
important to Madge. So, this trip
was special.
Uncle John and Aunt Ida greeted
Madge with hugs.
“Come in,” said Aunt Ida. “I made
some strawberry cobbler for you.
The strawberries are fresh from
the garden.” Madge was in
heaven!
Q: What metaphors do you hear?

12. A Day At The Farm
They ate cobbler, and Madge said
excitedly, “I can’t wait to see the
animals!”
Uncle John asked, “Madge, how
would you like to be my helper
today? Would you help me milk
the cows?”
Madge excitedly jumped up, “Yes!
I’d love to see the cows and milk
them.“
She was as happy as a clam!
Q: What similes do you hear?

13. A Day At The Farm
Together, they walked through the
field to the barn. The cows brayed,
“Moo.” The chickens clacked,
“cock-doodle-doo,” and the horses
brayed, “neigh” as they walked by.
In the barn, Uncle John said, “Now
be careful, Madge. We don’t want
to startle the animals. They get
spooked easily.”
Q: What expressions of onomatopoeia do you hear?
Q: What other forms of onomatopoeia would you
hear on a farm? (A: oink oink)

14. A Day At The Farm
Madge listened to her Uncle. She
talked softly and was careful not to
move too suddenly. Uncle John
showed Madge how to milk a cow.
“Hold the utter, and pull and
squeeze,” whispered Uncle John.
Madge was milking the cows.
“Now Madge, come with me,” said
Uncle John.
Q: How does Madge feel about milking a
cow? How do you know?

15. A Day At The Farm
“Let’s get the eggs from the
chickens.” Madge followed her
Uncle and together they
gathered eggs.
She took the eggs into the
house to her aunt. She looked
forward to eating the tasty
brown eggs.
Q: Have you seen brown eggs in the store?
Q: Why are some eggs white and some are
brown?

16. A Day At The Farm
Madge sat with her Uncle and
Grandpa, as Uncle John told her
stories about the farm animals and
living on the farm. She listened
intently and thought, ‘he is definitely
as wise as an owl.’
Madge enjoyed the peacefulness of
the farm. It was a slice of heaven.
Q:What metaphors do you hear?
Q: What similes?

17. A Day At The Farm
As quiet as a mouse, Madge
walked around the barn.
Looking at the animals, the
horses, the farm cats, the pigs,
and the cows; she thought to
herself, ‘this place has a special
place in my heart.’
Q: Describe what kind of day Madge is having?
Q: How does she feel about the farm and the farm
animals? How do you know?

18. A Day At The Farm
Soon it was time to go home.
Madge and her Grandpa
prepared to leave. As Madge
reflected on her day with her
Aunt and Uncle, she thought
to herself, ‘you are the sun in
my sky.’
Q: How does Madge feel about her Aunt and Uncle?
Q: How did this experience affect Madge?

19. A Day At The Farm
Madge was glad she was able
to spend time with family. She
thought it was good to see
where she came from; to know
where she wanted to go.
Madge went home knowing
her heart was in Kentucky.
Q:What metaphors do you hear?
Q: Does Madge like Kentucky? How do you know?

20. Your Turn!
Think of a place
that is special to
you: The beach, a
baseball game, the
park, Grandpa’s
house. Write a
description of it
using metaphor,
simile, and
onomatopoeia.

21. Let’s Review
• What is the difference between a metaphor
and a simile?
• What is onomatopoeia?

22. • Similes - A figure of speech that explicitly
compares two things usually considered
different. Similes are introduced by like or as.

23. • Metaphor- a figure of speech in which a term
or phrase is applied to something to which it is
not literally applicable in order to suggest a
resemblance.

24. • Onomatopoeia - the formation of a word such
as, cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation
of a sound. Different types of sounds to
consider:
• Animal sounds
• Sounds of air
• Collision sounds

25. Common Core State Standards
5th – 7th Grades
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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are
used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a Interpret figurative language, including similes and
metaphors, in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in
context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a Interpret figures of speech

26. CCSS Speaking and Listening
5th- 7th Grades
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1c Pose and respond to specific questions by making
comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of
others.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1d Review the key ideas expressed and draw
conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the
discussions.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1c Pose and respond to specific questions with
elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text,
or issue under discussion.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1d Review the key ideas expressed and demonstrate
understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to
others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that
bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
– CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1d Acknowledge new information expressed by others
and, when warranted, modify their own views

27. References
• http://dictionary.reference.com/
• http://www.corestandards.org/ELALiteracy/SL/6
• Photos courtesy of Karen Ellis