Courseversity

Lesson

Similes

Primary EducationGrade 3English & Language ArtsCV-PRI-G03-ELA-U09-L0645–60 min

You will learn

  • Define a simile.
  • Find similes in texts.
  • Explain what a simile means.
  • Write original similes.

Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.

Student lesson

The lesson in 60 seconds

  1. A simile compares two different things.
  2. It uses like or as.
  3. It makes a picture in the mind.
  4. Make your own fresh similes.

Words to know

simile
a comparison using like or as
compare
to show how two things are alike
picture in the mind
the image a simile creates
original
new and made by you

1. Discover: The strong little girl

Bisi was as quick as a flash and as strong as an ox. Her laugh was like a bell ringing across the yard. When she lifted her baby brother, he felt as light as a feather.

Think: What does each simile tell you about Bisi?

2. Understand: Comparing with like and as

Idea 1: What is a simile?

A simile compares two different things with like or as: as quick as a flash, like a bell.

Idea 2: What it shows

Each simile gives a picture in the mind: quick as a flash means very fast; light as a feather means very light.

Idea 3: Make your own

Try original similes: The stars were like scattered rice. Avoid very common ones when you can.

Remember: A simile compares two different things with like or as to create a picture.

3. Worked examples

Example 1 (I show you): Find

Find a simile with like.

  1. Look for like.

Answer: her laugh was like a bell

Example 2 (We do it together): Meaning

What does as quick as a flash mean?

  1. Fast.

Answer: very fast

Example 3 (You try): Create

Make a simile about a fast runner.

Show the steps and answer
  1. as…as

Answer: as fast as the wind

Did you know?

Similes are found in stories, poems and everyday speech all over the world.

Why this matters

Similes make descriptions clear and interesting.

4. Explore: Simile maker

Write similes.

  1. Choose something to describe.
  2. Think of a comparison.
  3. Write with like or as.
  4. Share it.
Think about it: what did you notice?

You can write similes.

5. Practise

Say it in a sentence

Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.

  • ___ was as ___ as ___.
  • ___ was like ___.
  • This shows that ___.
  • My original simile is ___.

Guided practice

Question 1. A comparison using like or as is a ___.

simile

Question 2. To show how two things are alike is to ___.

compare

Question 3. As strong as an ___.

ox

Independent practice

Level 1: Start

  1. A comparison using like or as is a ___.
  2. To show how two things are alike is to ___.
  3. As strong as an ___.
  4. As light as a ___.
  5. Her laugh was like a ___.

Level 2: Grow

  1. Finish: as brave as a ___.
  2. Finish: as cold as ___.
  3. Finish: as quiet as a ___.

Level 3: Stretch

  1. Does a simile use like or as?
  2. Does it make a picture?
  3. Can you make your own?

Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.

6. Apply: English in everyday life

Write five original similes about your home or school.

Show a sample answer

five similes

Another one. Write six similes about people, places or things you know.

Show a sample answer

a completed task

7. Common mistakes

Mistake: Rushing without checking.
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Another mistake: Skipping the worked example.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.

8. Lesson summary and revision card

I can…

  • I can define a simile.
  • I can find similes in texts.
  • I can explain what a simile means.
  • I can write original similes.

9. Check and master

Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.

1. A simile compares using like or ___.

2. As quick as a flash means very ___.

3. As strong as an ox means very ___.

4. As light as a feather means very ___.

5. Her laugh was like a ___.

6. Which is a simile?

7. Which is a simile?

8. Which is a simile?

9. Which is NOT a simile?

10. What does a simile create?

11. What is an original simile?

12. Best simile for a very tall tree?

Challenge 1. Which simile fits a very noisy classroom?

Challenge 2. Which simile compares two different things?

Your result appears here after you answer every question.

10. Key takeaways

  • A simile compares two different things.
  • It uses like or as.
  • It makes a picture in the mind.
  • Make your own fresh similes.

11. Next lesson

Next lesson: Onomatopoeia. Keep going with the next idea in this course.

Exam practice

These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.

  1. What is a simile? [1 mark]
  2. Explain as light as a feather. [1 mark]
  3. Find a simile in the Bisi story. [1 mark]
  4. Write an original simile about the sky. [2 marks]
  5. Explain why writers use similes. [3 marks]

Total: 8 marks.

Marking guide and model answers
  1. a comparison using like or as [1]
  2. very light [1]
  3. as quick as a flash/like a bell/etc. [1]
  4. uses like or as [1]; makes sense [1]
  5. compare things [1]; create pictures [1]; make writing interesting [1]

Score guide: 7 to 8 = secure. 5 to 6 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.

Printable worksheet

  1. A comparison using like or as is a ___.
  2. To show how two things are alike is to ___.
  3. As strong as an ___.
  4. As light as a ___.
  5. Her laugh was like a ___.
  6. Finish: as brave as a ___.
  7. Finish: as cold as ___.
  8. Finish: as quiet as a ___.
  9. Does a simile use like or as?
  10. Does it make a picture?

Homework

Write six similes about people, places or things you know.

Answer key and marking scheme

Question Expected response Marks
1. A comparison using like or as is a ___. simile 1
2. To show how two things are alike is to ___. compare 1
3. As strong as an ___. ox 1
4. As light as a ___. feather 1
5. Her laugh was like a ___. bell 1
6. Finish: as brave as a ___. lion 1
7. Finish: as cold as ___. ice 1
8. Finish: as quiet as a ___. mouse 1
9. Does a simile use like or as? yes 1
10. Does it make a picture? yes 1
Total 10

Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 simile; 2 compare; 3 ox; 4 feather; 5 bell. Level 2: 1 lion; 2 ice; 3 mouse. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.

Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.

Mastery and remediation

Objective Bronze (Developing) Silver (Proficient) Gold (Advanced)
O1 Define a simile Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O2 Find similes in texts Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O3 Explain what a simile means Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O4 Write original similes Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation

Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.

If a learner struggles

  1. Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
  2. Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
  3. Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
  4. Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
  5. Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
  6. Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.

For parents and guardians

In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.

  • Listen while your child explains the idea.
  • Ask for one new example.
  • Praise effort and careful work.
  • Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
  • Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
  • Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.

Teacher package

1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration

Lesson objectives. Learners will: define a simile; find similes in texts; explain what a simile means; write original similes.

Prerequisite knowledge. Rhythm and rhyme.

Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.

Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.

Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.

6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities

Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.

Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.

Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.

Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.

Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.

Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?

Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.

10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions

Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.

Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.

Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.

13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme

Use the quiz, the 8-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.

16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection

Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.

Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.

Sources and standards

This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.

Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 3 » Reading: Literature. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.

Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core L.3.5a and RL.3.4; Cambridge Primary English Stage 3 (reading poetry and figurative language). These sources informed the lesson.

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