Below you will find a few of the activities that went over well
in my classroom based on lessons that I taught on personification, several book
choices, and a FREEBIE!
I do believe my students had the most fun with these
lessons. They did a lot of
visualizing during the read-alouds which brought on a lot of giggling.
Day 1: To activate
prior knowledge I ask the students to think of things cats can do, such as
meow, climb, lick their paws, and run.
Then I asked them to tell me things that a lunch bag can do. They came to the conclusion that a lunch bag
can’t do anything, because it can’t move on its own or speak. I then explained to them that when a writer
treats an object, concept, or animal like a person it is called personification. We looked at the definition (Personification
is the act of giving non-living things human characteristics or qualities) of
personification and placed it on our figurative language board. I ended the lesson with a read-aloud
“Punctuation Takes a Vacation”. Together
we wrote the examples of personification that were found in the story.
Day 2 and 3: I began
today’s lesson with “The Little Red Pen” by Janet Stevens. Every year this book is one of their
favorites. Again, they identified the
examples of personification that they heard throughout the book. Lastly, I divided my students into groups so
that they could work on the following two activities. Activity 1 tells students to read sentences
that contain examples of personification. They use a recording sheet to identify and write the object, concept, or
animal that is being given human qualities.
Then they write the quality it is being given. Activity 2 tells students to read several
phrase cards and use the phrases in a sentence that contains an example of
personification.
This
is one of my products… Personification - 2 Activities. Students complete these activities independently or in pairs as a review during reading rotations. It gives my students extra practice. It can be found in my store. Click on the picture to get a better look at it or to purchase it.
Day 4: I read the book
“School Supplies: A Book of Poems” by Lee Bennett Hopkins to my class. We discussed how well personification fits
into poetry and how it helps us to make great visualizations. Next, I modeled how to use a planning guide to
help with writing a personification poem.
When we finished, I had the students complete a planning guide
independently. After some peer editing,
students published their poems and placed them on our work board. If you would like a FREE copy of the
Personification Planning Guide and the Personification Publishing Page, click
here. If you like the activity, please
be kind and leave me some feedback.
Here are more books that I used with my personification lessons.
Would you like to win a free copy of Personification – 2 Activities? Leave me a comment and share your favorite
books and/or lessons on personification.
I would love to add to my book collection and ideas for lessons.
I will randomly select one comment from one of my followers on Monday, April 29that 8:00 p.m. Please be sure to leave your email or blog address so I can send you the product if you are the winner! If you aren't comfortable leaving your email address, check back on Monday at 8:00 p.m. to see who won.
I promise not to post
too many of my products on my blog, but anytime I do there will be a giveaway
included! Follow my blog to learn
about me, my teaching style, my classroom, lessons, find freebies, and to share
experiences!
As always, thanks for stopping by today!
What an awesome unit! A few of your books are new to me, I'm pinning this for latter! I love to use The Little House when I introduce personification as well.
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
Bethany, "The Little House" is a great book! I hope you find some of the activities useful in your classroom.
DeleteThanks for all of these great activities! I am actually teaching personifiation this week and was struggling to come up with ideas! I would love to win your personifcation activity. I like to use The Little Red Pen too!
ReplyDeleteBethany
FabandFunin4th!
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope one of the activities I posted about will work well in your classroom, too.
DeleteThanks for the reminder of the great books! I just ordered Punctuation Takes a Vacation and came back to comment to let you know you inspired me! :)
ReplyDeleteCreating Lifelong Learners
Thank you and I am happy that my post reminded you of some great books!
DeleteI am your newest follower! I love your great ideas for personification.
ReplyDeleteKristin
Teachntex
Personification is one of my favorite things to teach. I am excited that you found my new blog. I have all ready been following yours.
DeleteI can't wait to explore the personification books. I'm new to your blog and love, love your ideas and book choices!!
ReplyDeleteSheri, I am truly happy that you found my blog! Come back and let me know your favorite book to use with your personification lessons.
DeleteThis is some good stuff! When I taught personification last year I used the Geico commercials with Maxwell the pig. My 6th graders loved them. But I like how you relate it to a lunch bag or sack since it's not alive so they know that human like qualities can be given to living AND non living things. Thanks for all of these great ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteShannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Hello Shannon! I am sure Maxwell the pig went over well. I am glad you liked my lesson. I hope that you will come back and visit.
DeleteI am a student teacher and am looking for fun ways to teach figurative language writing. I came across the book, "Twilight Comes Twice a Day." It has some great personification as well as imagery.
ReplyDeleteHi there! Just looking for some interesting and engaging ways to teach figurative language
ReplyDelete