Metaphors in Science 8th Int. Grade Science

Science Metaphors The Earth is like a “Ball”. The Wetlands are like a “Sponge”. Chemical Bonding is like a “Magnet”.

What is a Metaphor ? Same words & phrases in creative ways to explain things to one another. Encourages the listener to think - more creative or strange it is - more interesting it is. More direct & uses less words to describe things. Establishes a relationship of likeness. Fills in the Gaps in language, could be used to create new meanings to difficult new concepts.

Metaphor Uses Common & well understood experiences for complex & abstract information. Lectures, creative writing, reviewing information, & to teach new difficult concepts. Everyday conversation uses of at least 4 metaphors per minute. Many are “hidden” or “embedded” into our language. Prompts original thoughts, creative thinking.

(Wetland Metaphor Handout / Video) Wetlands Metaphor Antelope Island & the Great Salt Lake are surrounded by Wetlands that are very Valuable (“Priceless”) to the area. (Wetland Metaphor Handout / Video)

Commonly Used Metaphors - 1 “Quiet as a Mouse” “Red as a Cherry” “Strong as a Tree” “Round like a Ball” (Engine running) (Santa’s Nose) (Elephant’s Leg) (Earth)

Science Common Metaphors - 2 “Acts like a Sponge” (Wetlands) “Clear as Glass” (Atmosphere) “Formed like a Snowball rolling down a hill” (Oolitic Sand) “Slippery like Ice” (Electrons on Copper Wire) “Stuck-Up” - doesn’t need anyone (Noble Gases) “Magnetic Connections” (Chemical Bonding)

Metaphor Types Visual Aid – Object Visual Drawing – Cartoon / Picture Written Metaphor – Poem / Story Verbal Metaphor – Saying / Phrase Acting / Role Playing – Synectics / Games

Metaphor Transfer Taking a Familiar or Common Trait and used it to describe a New Ideas or Form of Information. Matching Similarities between Things Making Emotion Connections Use Language at Learners Level Develop Common Uses & Descriptions Add Creativity

Characteristics of Metaphors Metaphors should include: Vividness Compactness Expressibility (Andrew Ortony)

Designing Metaphor Examples Similarities to: Structure / Style Uses / Performance Habits / Work Size Color Material Relates to another Concept / Idea

Visual Metaphors Words Objects Posters Signs Cartoons Picture Uphill Wavelength Words Objects Posters Signs Cartoons Picture

Written Metaphor Puns / Play on words Descriptive Adjectives Rhyming / Poetry Sequencing Humorous Abstract Similarities “Sayings” “Masterpiece” / “Acorn” / “Mountain” Articles

Verbal Metaphors Computer works like a “Brain” Nervous System looks like a “Tree” Solar Systems looks like a “Mobile” Eyes work like an “Camera” Birds “Zipper” up their Feathers

Role Playing Metaphors Synectics - Uses ANALOGIES Process: Be Creative – New ideas, music, inventions Self Expressive & Personal Add Emotional Connection Must be Understandable Connections between Old & New Knowledge Creative Analogies: Personal Expressions Acting Out Concepts, Objects, etc…

Synectics Analogy Samples Create an “Analogy” with these topics. Act it out. “A Car Engine is like ………..” “Erupting Volcano is like ………..” “Electricity flowing through a wire is like ………..” “Chemical Explosion is like ………..” “Roller Coaster Ride is like ………..” “Computer Processing is like ………..” “Television is like ………..” “Old Shoe is like ………..”

Teacher Objectives Teacher will demonstrate visual styles, written, visual aids, games, and role play uses for metaphors in learning new science concepts. Teacher will give example notes and picture reviews using visual metaphors. Teacher will instruct the students on the steps and designs to create metaphors in science. Teacher will give evaluations and feedback to students progress and completed projects.

Teacher Instructed Demonstrations Metaphoric Examples: Sample Visual Aids Picture Page Reviews Games of “Win, Lose, and Draw” / “Charades” Role Playing - Synectics Chemistry Demonstrations Sayings, Vivid Descriptions Final outcome: Student Created Visual Aids – Metaphoric Projects

Student Objectives Students will be introduced to new concepts and terms in this Chemistry unit. Students will create new “visual aids” or/and written metaphors examples that could be used to explain other key science concepts or terms in Chemistry. Students will learn to write and connect metaphors to new terms and concepts in the Chemistry unit with applied knowledge from their English Metaphor unit.

Student Objectives - con’t Students will use visual aids to experiment writing metaphors and brainstorming connected to science concepts. Students will demonstrate their metaphoric knowledge by participating in Role Playing and “Win, Lose, and Draw” games as teams. Students will design a Metaphor form that explains a Concept in Science. Student’s Metaphors will be used for teaching and reviewing a concept.

Project Assignment Select 1 Metaphor Type to design: “Picture Page” - Review Handout “Picture Notes” - Teaching Handout “Poster Illustration” - Poster “Visual Aid” – Model or Object “Game” – “Win, Lose, or Draw” or “Password” “Written Saying” – Mnemonics “Role Playing” – Synectics / Charades

Metaphor Assignment Finding Out the Definition / Concept Brainstorming all the Possibilities you can use “Play” with you ideas – Finalize on one Design the connections Develop a metaphor form to illustrate the new concept. (Chose 1 form) Present metaphor to Class

Brainstorming Concept Mapping Ideas Venn Diagram – Similarities / Differences Different Large Cats – like Lions have a male leader and female hairium Like a Cheetah the mother does the raising of the offspring's (single parent) Concept Mapping – Webbing Connections to concepts

Student Motivation Peer Review / Peer Recognition Peer Support – “Scaffolding” Competition Challenge / Competition Positive Feedback Candy / Rewards Grade / Teacher Recognition Zone of Proximal Learning

Final Assessments Peer Understanding of Created Metaphors Participation in Activities / Discussions Pop Quizzes / Test Research / Brainstorming / Concept Mapping activities Creation of a Metaphor for a Concept Rubric for Metaphor Project Self Assessment