Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes Simile A figure of speech in which the word “like” or “as” is used to make a comparison between two things that don’t seem to be alike

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes My new job fits me like a glove!

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes A summer wind feels like a cotton sheet.

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes What unlike things are being compared? How does a cotton sheet feel? How does the writer think a summer wind feels?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes What unlike things are being compared? The wind and a cotton sheet are being compared. How does a cotton sheet feel? A cotton sheet is soft and smooth against the skin. How does the writer think a summer wind feels? He/she thinks it feels good. It’s soft and smooth against the skin.

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes At my new school I felt as comfortable as a fish out of water. What unlike things are being compared? How would a fish out of water feel? How does the writer feel about being in a new school?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes At my new school I felt as comfortable as a fish out of water. What unlike things are being compared? A person is being compared to a fish. How would a fish out of water feel? Strange, unnatural, uncomfortable How does the writer feel about being in a new school? Strange, uncomfortable, as if he or she didn’t belong there

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes On test day, Mary entered the classroom like a prisoner being led to jail. What unlike things are being compared? How might a prisoner being led to jail feel? How do you think Mary feels about the test she is about to take?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes On test day, Mary entered the classroom like a prisoner being led to jail. What unlike things are being compared? Students are being compared to prisoners. How might a prisoner being led to jail feel? A prisoner definitely would not feel good about being led to jail! How do you think Mary feels about the test she is about to take? Mary probably feels that she will not do well on the test.

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes A Few Tips about Recognizing Similes Tip # 1: Don’t be fooled by other uses of the words “like” and “as.” Often those words are used when there is no simile to be found. Examples: I like chocolate ice cream. No comparison is being made. In the sentence, “like” means “enjoy” or “prefer.”

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes As I walked into the restaurant, I saw an old friend. Again, no comparison is being made. In this sentence, “as” means “when.”

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes A Few Tips about Recognizing Similes Tip # 2: If you already know what metaphors are and you get them confused with similes, remember that the word “simile” looks like the word “smile,” and we smile at people we like. So, “like” (along with its partner, “as”) is used to create similes. SIMILE!

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes As you listen to the reading of Grandfather’s Journey make a “mind movie” and tally the similes you hear. IIII II

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes How many similes did you hear?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes #1 “rocks like enormous sculptures” What unlike things are being compared? What is Allen Say telling us about the rocks?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes #2 “…rivers as clear as the sky…” What unlike things are being compared? What is Allen Say telling us about the rivers?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes #3 “bombs…scattered our lives like leaves in a storm” What unlike things are being compared? What is Allen Say telling us about the bombs?

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes Figures of speech in which the word “like” or “as” is used to make a comparison between two things that don’t seem to be alike

Listening Comprehension Topic: Recognizing and Interpreting Similes Be alert to the author’s use of similes in the book we are reading!