Picture it
Close eyes. The teacher says a scene (a thunderstorm). Children say one comparison for it: The thunder was like ___.
Writing · Level 3 · Years 5 and 6 · Unit 6 of 6 · Poem
Poetry with figurative language
Children write a poem that uses similes, metaphors and personification to paint one vivid picture.
8sessions
60minutes each
Years 5 and 6ages 10 to 12
A2 to B1CEFR
By the end
Children write a poem of eight to twelve lines on a theme using at least one simile, one metaphor and one example of personification, and perform it aloud.
How the unit runs
8 sessions, 8 parts
Every writing unit follows the same eight parts: read, talk, learn the sentence skill, plan, write together, write alone, check, publish. This unit fits them into 8 sessions of about 60 minutes.
| Session | Parts | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Part 1: Read and enjoy | Read and enjoy "Winter morning". Find 3 features to notice. |
| Session 2 | Part 2: Talk it | Oral rehearsal games: Picture it, Simile, metaphor or personification?, Perform it. |
| Session 3 | Part 3: Sentence skill | Teach the sentence skill: Similes, metaphors and personification. |
| Session 4 | Part 4: Plan | Plan on the frame: my poem plan. |
| Session 5 | Part 5: Shared write | The teacher models the writing, thinking aloud. |
| Session 6 | Part 6: Independent write | Children write independently, with support and stretch. |
| Session 7 | Part 7: Check | Check against the success criteria and the editing checklist. |
| Session 8 | Part 8: Publish | Publish for a real reader on the printable template. |
Curriculum link. Years 5 and 6 composition: selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices can change and enhance meaning; perform their own compositions using appropriate intonation, volume and movement. Reading: discuss and evaluate how authors use language, including figurative language, considering the impact on the reader. Sources: see the end of this page.
Part 1 of 8
Read and enjoy a model text
Read it aloud first, or press the button. Talk about what the writer has done before anyone writes. This text was written for Litlings and is free to copy for your class.
The sun is a tired lantern, rising slow.
Frost writes silver letters on the glass.
The wind whispers secrets through the sleeping trees,
and the river wears a coat of ice, as thin as paper.
Cold fingers pinch my nose.
The street holds its breath.
A single robin, bright as a red button, sings,
and the whole world listens.
What to notice
- The sun is a tired lanternA metaphor: the sun is a lantern. It does not use like or as.
- as thin as paper / bright as a red buttonSimiles compare one thing to another using as or like.
- Frost writes / the wind whispers / the street holds its breathPersonification gives human actions to things that are not human.
Part 2 of 8
Talk it: oral rehearsal
Talk comes before writing. Children say the sentences, then the paragraph, before the pencil moves.
Simile, metaphor or personification?
Read lines aloud. Children sort them with three hand signs. Say why.
Perform it
Read the model poem in pairs, line by line, with voice and movement to show meaning. Talk about which lines sound best.
Part 3 of 8
Sentence skill: Similes, metaphors and personification
A simile compares using like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another. Personification gives human actions to things.
Teach it in four steps
- Choose a theme and a feeling.
- For one object, write a simile (as ___ as, like ___), a metaphor (it is ___) and an example of personification (it ___ like a person).
- Choose strong verbs and precise nouns, and cut weak words.
- Read aloud and rework lines for sound and rhythm.
Examples
| Start | Becomes or shows |
|---|---|
| The moon was bright. | The moon was a silver coin. (metaphor) |
| The snow was soft. | The snow was as soft as a feather. (simile) |
| The wind blew. | The wind whispered through the trees. (personification) |
Part 4 of 8
Plan: My poem plan
Choose a theme and gather figurative language. Children say each part aloud to a partner first, then jot notes. Type here, or print the frame to use on paper. It prints on one A4 page.
My poem plan
NameDate
Choose a theme and gather figurative language.
Theme and feelingWinter, the sea, a storm. How does it feel?
Five sensesSee, hear, smell, touch, taste.
Simile, metaphor, personificationOne of each for your theme.
Strongest linesDraft four lines you like best.
How to perform itVoice, pace, pauses, movement.
Part 6 of 8
Independent write
The task
Write a poem of eight to twelve lines about a theme you choose. Include at least one simile, one metaphor and one example of personification. Perform it aloud.
Sentence starters
- The ___ is a ___.
- As ___ as a ___,
- The ___ whispers/dances/sleeps.
- Like a ___, ___.
- ___ holds its breath.
Word bank
- shimmer
- silver
- whisper
- drift
- tumble
- hush
- glow
- crumble
- gleam
- murmur
Support
Give a poem frame with sentence starters and an image bank sorted by senses.
Stretch
Experiment with a different form such as a haiku, an acrostic or free verse.
English as an additional or foreign language. Offer an image bank with pictures and simple similes to adapt. Read the model poem chorally before writing.
Part 7 of 8
Check: success criteria and editing
Children read their writing aloud, tick what they have done and fix what they have not. Ticks are saved on this device only.
Success criteria
Editing checklist
Part 8 of 8
Publish for a real reader
Illustrate the poem and hold a poetry performance. Record readings and display poems on the wall as a gallery.
Printable template: Poem page
One A4 page, blank for handwriting. Print from the browser or download the PDF.
My poem
NameDate
Write your poem and add a picture that matches it.
Title
Picture
My poem
Poet
Keep going
In this course
Elsewhere on the site
Sources
- National curriculum in England: English programmes of study (DfE)
- English Appendix 2: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation (DfE)
- Improving Literacy in Key Stage 2 (EEF)
Curriculum statements are paraphrased from the documents above. Model texts and activities are original to Litlings.