This document contains instructions for students to analyze and write simile poems. It discusses having students read and analyze the poem "Willow and Ginkgo" by identifying similes used to describe the two trees. Students are then asked to draw the two trees based on the images created by the similes. They are also given instructions to choose topics to write about, brainstorm traits for those topics, develop simple similes, and then improve the similes to be more descriptive for a poem.

1. Simile Poems

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4. In your Writer’s NB, on a clean page, split the paper into four squares

5. Draw a WILLOW tree in the top left section of the paper Draw a GINKGO tree in the bottom left section

6. Willow and Ginkgoby Eve Merriam As I read this poem aloud the first time just listen. When I read it the second time, listen specifically for similes and when you think you heard one, raise your hand silently. Now, look at the poem I will choose people to come up and highlight the WILLOW similes in yellow and all of the GINKGO similes in light blue. Then go back to your split sheet and NOW draw the two trees with the images that the similes have painted in our minds.

7. Actual Willow and Ginkgo Trees

8. Writing your own similes! Make a list of at least 5-10 topics you might want to write about. For example, a pet, favorite season, a sport, etc. Complete the Simile Poem Brainstorm graphic organizer. In each of the 7 boxes, write one physical or character trait describing the topic you chose (i.e. long legs, straight hair, brown eyes, humble, daring, passive, caring). Then develop each trait into a simple simile (i.e. eyes as brown as chocolate)

9. Improving your Simple Similes Let’s develop your simple similes further. For example: “My eyes are as blue as the sky” What can we do to make it more descriptive? Now, take your simple similes that you wrote on the Simple Simile Brainstorm sheet and develop most of them into descriptive similes. Start writing your own poem using DESCRIPTIVE similes – NOT simple similes - about the topic you chose 