Saturday, April 27, 2013

Personification Activities, Freebie, and a Giveaway!


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!
 


14 comments :

  1. 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.

    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

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    1. Bethany, "The Little House" is a great book! I hope you find some of the activities useful in your classroom.

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  2. Thanks 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!
    Bethany
    FabandFunin4th!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today! I hope one of the activities I posted about will work well in your classroom, too.

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  3. Thanks 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! :)
    Creating Lifelong Learners

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    1. Thank you and I am happy that my post reminded you of some great books!

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  4. I am your newest follower! I love your great ideas for personification.

    Kristin
    Teachntex

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    1. 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.

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  5. I can't wait to explore the personification books. I'm new to your blog and love, love your ideas and book choices!!

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    1. Sheri, I am truly happy that you found my blog! Come back and let me know your favorite book to use with your personification lessons.

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  6. This 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! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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    1. 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.

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  7. I 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.

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  8. Hi there! Just looking for some interesting and engaging ways to teach figurative language

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