📖

Figurative Language: Similes and Metaphors

Poetry Exploration

Day 133of 180
Week 27of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the difference between similes and metaphors

2

Identify figurative language in poetry

3

Create original figurative language comparisons about God's attributes

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 18:2

“Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.”

— Psalm 18:2 (WEB)

A perfect example of metaphorical language describing God's protective nature

📦 Materials Needed

  • Notebook
  • Pencils
  • Colored markers
  • Poetry anthology
  • Poster paper
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and read Psalm 18:2, highlighting the metaphorical language used to describe God

💭 Review Question: What makes this description special and different from plain language?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain similes and metaphors with biblical examples

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Simile: Uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two things
  • Metaphor: Direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'
  • Helps us understand complex ideas through familiar images
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does comparing God to a rock help us understand His strength?
  • Can you think of another way to describe God using figurative language?
3Activity: Divine Descriptions Poster (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a poster with metaphors and similes about God's character

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide poster into simile and metaphor sections
  2. Write at least 3 original comparisons for each section
  3. Illustrate one of your favorite comparisons
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Work in pairs to create descriptions

Challenge: Include biblical references that support each description

4Closing (5 min)

Share posters and discuss creative descriptions of God

📝 Review Questions:
  • What's the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
  • Why do poets use figurative language?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for being so wonderful that we can describe You in many creative ways.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore acrostic poems about biblical characters

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 86:12

“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

— Psalm 86:12 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create a rhythmic hand motion for each phrase

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Figurative language helps children think creatively about abstract concepts

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage imagination
  • Validate creative descriptions
  • Help children understand metaphors are not literal
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find abstract comparisons challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Thoughtful, original comparisons that show understanding

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a poetry journal of biblical metaphors
  • Write a short story using figurative language
  • Find metaphors in other psalms

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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