Cooperative Learning 365: Teaching Similes with a Tune

Friday, March 2, 2012

Teaching Similes with a Tune

Have you ever heard Everything At Once by Lenka? I'm not sure where I came across this song, it may have been on a commercial, but the moment I heard it I knew this catchy tune would catch my students' attention. This song is composed of similes. Today was the first time that I shared it with my class. They instantly loved it and wanted to hear it over and over again, of course!

We were revisiting similes so it wasn't anything new. Once they listened to it a couple of times, I had them pick their favorite one and compare it to something or someone. They were able to use names of classmates only if they were granted permission from them personally.

Here are a few examples of their work:

I'm pretty sure my fourth graders won't forget what a simile is any time soon!

16 HOOTS:

Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]: Mandy~This is fantastic. My fourth graders will LOVE it! It's very catchy, isn't it? Did you find your kids signing it throughout the day? I can imagine mine doing that {and that would be awesome}.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Elizabeth

Fun in Room 4B; March 2, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Mandy Neal said... [Reply to comment]: They were singing it all day, and I'm still singing it :)!; March 2, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]: Just downloaded it and now I'm singing it :)

You don't happen to know a catchy one for idioms, do you?
Elizabeth

Fun in Room 4B; March 2, 2012 at 5:43 PM
~Stephanie said... [Reply to comment]: What a great connection you made for the kids! I bet they LOVED this activity :)

~Stephanie
Teaching in Room 6; March 2, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Terri said... [Reply to comment]: I will be singing this all night. Great way to use the song. Thanks for Sharing:)
Terri; March 2, 2012 at 6:13 PM
Camille said... [Reply to comment]: Mandy,
What a great song! There is a picture book titled Quick as a Cricket that has this same idea (I am as quick as a cricket. I am as quiet as a kitten. etc.) I teach a K/1 combo so will be using this song to reinforce the use of adjectives. Many thanks!
Camille
An Open Door; March 2, 2012 at 9:35 PM
Rebecca said... [Reply to comment]: OMG! LOVE this! I haven't heard this song before. Thank you for sharing! I have an award for you, so come by to pick it up when you get a chance. Have a most lovely weekend!

Chatterbox Blessings,
Rebecca
http://theteacherschatterbox.blogspot.com/2012/03/lovely-blog-award.html; March 3, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Unknown said... [Reply to comment]: Super Cute Lesson! I love using music in my language arts class to teach literary elements. You are right in that they probably won't ever forget similes! :)
Ann Marie Smith @ Innovative Connections; March 3, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Unknown said... [Reply to comment]: This is great!!! Thanks for sharing Mandy! I'll be doing Figurative Language next week and I'm super excited to use it and share other activities.

I gave your blog an award!!!
Come grab it http://www.ateacherstreasure.com/2012/03/one-lovely-blog-award.html

❤ Mor Zrihen from...
A Teacher's Treasure
Teaching Treasures Shop; March 3, 2012 at 6:30 PM
BJ Gates said... [Reply to comment]: I love this idea! We are continually having to reexplain what similes are! I'm going to try this for sure! Oh, love your blog! I'm new at this, and I'd love for you to come visit mine!; March 3, 2012 at 7:42 PM
Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]: I've just awarded you something on my blog. Come on over to check it out.

Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B; March 3, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]: I've just awarded you something on my blog. Come on over to check it out.

Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B; March 3, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Ms. Morton said... [Reply to comment]: Your blog is super cute! Love your ideas and the pics of your classroom. Come visit my blog if you have a chance.

Sharima

Lovebuglearning.blogspot.com; March 3, 2012 at 10:29 PM
BJ Gates said... [Reply to comment]: Great blog! I've only been blogging for a couple of months and you've got a lot of great ideas! Please stop by my and check it out! I'd love to share ideas with you!; March 3, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Traci Clausen said... [Reply to comment]: I love your blog. :D

This song is so perfect.
❤ Dragonflies in First ❤; March 4, 2012 at 4:34 AM
Andrea McEvoy said... [Reply to comment]: Mandy...I love the song! I used the Katy Perry Fireworks song earlier this year for the same lesson. I will have to use this song to review too!!! Great idea. I just posted about using music/songs/video for math!

Thanks,
Andrea
One Teacher's Take; March 10, 2012 at 9:16 PM