The summary is as follows: Tommy has a rushed morning getting ready for school. He is awakened by bright sunlight streaming through his window like a flashlight. He hears his mother calling him downstairs in an annoying, mosquito-like voice to hurry up and eat breakfast before missing the bus. Tommy feels relief when he hops onto the waiting school bus like a frog onto a lily pad, having raced quickly to catch it.

1. Tommy’s Morning
By Trevor Brown RED6545
3rd Grade Language Arts - Similes

2. • Similes: a comparison between
two unlike things using the words
like or as
• Example: She ran fast like the wind.
• Why use similes? Authors use similes
to precisely describe the character’s
actions or appearance.

3. • Purpose for Reading:
• Pay attention to the examples of
similes used by the author so you
can add this craft to your own
writing.

4. As he opened his
eyes early this
morning, there it was
through Tommy’s
window---the
sunlight. The rays of
light illuminated his
bedroom like a giant
flashlight.
“Oh, it’s too bright!”
he whispered as he
covered his eyes.
How is this like your morning? How is it different?
Why do you think the author compared the sunlight
to a flashlight? What does illuminate mean?

5. Before, he could
focus, he heard his
mom’s voice. “Hurry
up, Tommy!” she
yelled from
downstairs. “You’ll
miss the bus.” The
sound of her voice
was like a loud,
annoying mosquito.
“Ugh,” he thought
while slowly pushing
himself out of bed.
How is Tommy feeling about starting his day?
What evidence in the text helped you infer his
feelings?
How is his mother’s voice like a mosquito?

6. He exited his cozy,
warm bed one leg at
a time. Standing on
the tile floor felt like
he was stepping
onto a frozen lake of
ice!
To what else could you compare cold tile?

7. Tommy ran to the
bathroom sink.
He grabbed his
toothbrush,
squeezed out some
toothpaste and
turned on the water
faucet. The water
flowed out like a
waterfall. After
brushing his teeth,
he quickly got
dressed.
What do you predict Tommy will do next?
Think about your morning routine.

8. He jetted like
lightning down the
stairs and smelled
the aroma of bacon
coming from the
kitchen. “Here’s your
bacon and
pancakes,” said his
mother. “Eat quickly
because you have to
leave for the bus
stop in five minutes.”
Note how the author compared his coming
downstairs to the speed of lightning. What
does jetted mean?
Why do you think he moved to the kitchen so
quickly? What evidence from the text helped
you?

9. What does it mean for a liquid to ooze?
Think about what you know about syrup and
the words in the text. What words helped you
understand the meaning?
He sat down at the
kitchen table and
looked at his plate.
At that moment, he
watched the syrup
ooze down the
stacked pancakes
like lava slowly
running down an
erupting volcano.
He scarfed down his
food and headed
toward the door.

10. What is the complication in the story so far?
“Remember to put on
your shoes,” reminded
Tommy’s mother.
“Yikes!” he gasped.
“Where are my shoes?”
He glanced toward the
front door hoping to
see his new sneakers,
but they were not
there. “Mom, where are
my shoes?!” he
shouted.

11. Have you ever been late? How did you react?
Turn and talk to shoulder partner to share.
“I have your shoes
right here, dear,” said
his mother.
“I don’t need your
help,” snapped
Tommy as he took the
shoes from her
hands. “Now, I’m
late.” He opened the
front door, slammed it
shut, and raced like a
cheetah to the bus
stop.

12. How else could you describe his hopping
onto the school bus?
Complete the simile: He hopped like a
____________ onto the bus.
Why does he feel relief?
Suddenly the front door
opened. “Bye, dear!”
his mom yelled from
the front porch. “Have
a great day at school!”
Tommy could hardly
hear her because he
was half way down the
sidewalk. Soon, he
reached the bus stop
where the school bus
was waiting. Like a frog
to a lilly pad, he
hopped aboard and
smiled with relief.

13. Words To Review:
illuminate
annoying
jetted
ooze
relief