Teaching about Metaphors
March 11, 2010 by Writing for Children
Filed under Recent Posts
by Renee Kirchner, Teaching Tips Contributing Editor
Metaphors talk about one thing as if it were another. They are not introduced with the words “like” or “as”, but make direct comparisons. Here are a few examples:
His shirt was a flag, flying in the breeze.
Her eyes were jewels, sparkling in the sun.
The ocean is a playground for scuba divers.
A song is a poem set to music.
Metaphors can compare something unfamiliar with something familiar to give you a frame of reference.
The surface of the moon is a snowy yard with footprint craters.
The bottom of the ocean is a dark cave.
A kiwi is a fuzzy lime.
A resume is a report card for adults.
A metaphor comparison is not literal. You can’t always take the meaning directly. Here are some examples:
His room was a pigpen. (This means his room is messy, not that pigs live in it.)
The harvest moon was a pumpkin. (This means the moon was round and orange, not made out of pumpkin.)
Her teeth were pearls. (This means her teeth were white like pearls, not that each tooth was actually a pearl.)
The baby’s cheeks were two rosy apples. (This means the baby’s cheeks are round and red, not really apples.)
Writers use metaphors to make their writing colorful and you can to. Give it a try.
Life is a Roller Coaster Sometimes!
An Exercise in Writing Metaphors: Complete the sentences to make your own metaphors.
1. The moon is a _____________________________________________.
2. Freckles are ________________ when they spread across your face.
3. His arms were _________________ as they lifted the heavy chair.
4. The stars are ______________ as they twinkle in the night sky.
5. The storm was a ______________ as it clawed against my window.
6. The freshly mowed lawn was a ___________________________.
7. The noisy children were __________________ as they raced through the museum.
8. I was a ___________________ as I tiptoed across the wooden floor.
9. The river was a _________________ as it twisted and turned down the mountain.
10. His cheeks were __________________ as he chewed the giant wad of bubble gum.
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NOTE: Are you a teacher who dreams of becoming a published children’s book author? Then let us help you make your dream come true. Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club. Find out more here now!
Early Childhood Reading Grants from TARGET
March 10, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Blog, Recent Posts
Start a book club at your school, or bring a children’s book author to visit your students!
Target awards grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. Click here to learn more!
Marketing Tips for Children’s Authors
March 9, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Blog, Recent Posts
This week’s LIVE teleclass for children’s writers will take place on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at 3:00 CST. The topic of the teleclass is Marketing Tips for Children’s Authors & Aspiring Children’s Book Authors.
Click here to learn more about the teleclass and to register!
MOVE & GROOVE – 5 Easy Steps to Overcome Boredom
March 2, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Move and Groove, Recent Posts
The human brain is a funny thing in its tendency to quickly reach boredom, Spend too long doing the same thing, or do the same thing too many times, too often, and suddenly there you are. Perhaps the subconscious desire for change serves an important purpose in driving us to continually try new things or different approaches in order to keep our lives dynamic and fresh.
This especially true than when working with children. Young brains haven’t had time to develop much in the way of patience, so focusing and repetition, while necessary, are also difficult. Sometimes they’ll get bored very quickly. Here are a few ideas to help liven things up:
Add something surprising. If you want to get their attention, try something strange, exciting, or gross. Try wheelbarrow races, jumping contests, or high-speed butt-shaking.
A little humor goes a long way. Laughter is powerful medicine, and it rules supreme with children. Have them do a silly walking contest, or better yet, the “underpants dance”, which can be their personal interpretation. The movements won’t matter at all, but the title is sure to get them going.
Use a new technique. If you always begin standing, then start the dance on the floor instead. If you usually teach particular choreography, then play music and let them dance freeform. For an added plus, make it into a game of “freeze dance”, where children freeze in position whenever you randomly turn off the music.
Try a change of scenery. A change of environment can break up routine quickly. Try moving outside in the grass, or in a different room, or with the lights off (Pass out flashlights ahead of time if you have them).
Change your music often. Even teachers need inspiration, and new music always spices things up.
“Bored” is a five-letter word. But with a few simple techniques, you can eliminate it from their vocabulary permanently. We all need fresh ideas, challenges and stimulation. It only requires a few minutes of planning ahead. The results are worth it!
Read Across America and Dr. Seuss
February 28, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Recent Posts, teaching tips
by Amy M. O’Quinn
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
~Dr. Seuss
Mark your calendar for March 2nd! Why, you may ask? Well, at our home we will celebrate my daughter’s tenth birthday on that day. But other children across America will also be celebrating the birthday of beloved author, Dr. Seuss, as well as participating in ‘Read Across America’, sponsored by the National Education Association.
What is Read Across America?
In 1997, a small task force at NEA came up with the big idea to set aside one day to really celebrate reading and motivate children across the country to pick up a book and read. They wanted the whole event to be exciting and inspiring—and to promote a love of reading. The task force also decided that March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) would be the perfect date. Thus, ‘Read Across America’ was born, and the first annual celebration was held on March 2, 1998.
According the NEA website, “Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.”
How does it work?
Although the NEA created and sponsors ‘Read Across America,’ teachers, parents, librarians, bookstore personnel, and other community volunteers at the local level organize and implement all kinds of exciting events to celebrate reading and get children involved in special literacy activities. There are many great ideas on the NEA/RAA website, as well as state educational association websites. The possibilities are endless.
Dr. Seuss (1904-1991)
What child doesn’t love a Dr. Seuss book? The rhythm and rhyme are delightful, and everyone has a favorite. My children enjoyed all the Dr. Seuss books, but they especially liked Green Eggs and Ham, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? and The Cat in the Hat. In fact, they can all recite most of Green Eggs and Ham from memory. Would you? Could you?
When we first began homeschooling, I quickly discovered that Dr. Seuss books were perfect for oral reading practice to enhance fluency. The children loved the nonsensical language, yet they were able to experience reading success because of the simple words, repetition and familiarity of ‘old friends’ they’d known for years. Beginning readers need to feel successful; it motivates them to keep learning. Plus, the stories written by Dr. Seuss are just plain fun, and everyone needs a good giggle or chuckle from time to time.
How Can You Be Involved in Read Across America?
There are events and activities scheduled all over the country—in large cities and small communities. Chances are, the local school system, your child’s teacher, or your neighborhood librarians have already planned some special things for March 2nd. Visit the NEA website or your state educational association to find some fabulous fun near you. Perhaps you may even decide to volunteer or help organize some events.
If you have preschool children or are a homeschooling parent, you can also plan some activities to do with your child at home. Although we advocate reading ALL year long, it is still fun to have a special day to do something just a little bit different.
A Few Simple Ideas:
-Read Green Eggs and Ham—then MAKE green eggs and ham. Add a couple of drops of green food coloring to your egg mixture before cooking to create an unforgettable entree!
-Read Horton Hears A Who—then make elephant masks out of paper plates and construction paper.
-Read The Cat in the Hat—then make a ‘Cat in the Hat’ Hat! You can find some great (and easy) directions and photos for this project at http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/crafts/cathat.htm.
Resources:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/printables/
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/read-across-america-teachers/
There are also many Dr. Seuss books and videos available on Ebay, Amazon, Half.com, etc.
Whether you are a teacher, volunteer, librarian or parent or grandparent, reading to children and helping to foster a love of reading and books is an important job. So mark March 2nd on your calendar as a special ‘fun’ day to celebrate reading AND Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Ready. Set. Read!
Amy M. O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas around the fringes of family life. She specializes in non-fiction, and her work has been published or acquired by various magazines including Jack and Jill, US Kids, Guideposts for Kids, Learning Through History Magazine, Highlights, GEORGIA Magazine, Homeschooling Today, International Gymnast, etc. She is also a product/curriculum/book reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and a regular columnist for TEACH Magazine. The O’Quinns live on the family farm in rural south Georgia. You can visit Amy at amyoquinn.com or http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.
