Simile and metaphor poems: a 30-minute 4th grade writing activity
What it is: a 4th grade poetry activity where students write a short poem about a weather event or an animal using similes (comparisons with like or as) and then turn one simile into a metaphor. Students see how comparisons create pictures in the reader's mind.
Time: about 30 minutes. Grade: 4th grade.
Materials: a few short poems with similes and metaphors, a planning sheet with the subject in the center and comparison boxes around it, and lined paper.
- Read: "The fog was like a gray blanket" and "The fog was a gray blanket." Ask: "What's the difference? Which is stronger?"
- Students choose a subject (thunder, a cat, the wind, snow) and brainstorm what it looks, sounds and moves like.
- They write 4 similes on the planning sheet.
- Students turn their favorite simile into a metaphor and build a 6 to 8 line poem.
- Read-around: students read their poems in small groups, and listeners name one comparison they could picture.
Differentiation: students who need support use frames: "The ___ is as ___ as ___." Students who are ready add personification. English learners can draw each comparison before writing it.
Quick check: say "The snow was a white quilt" and ask a student whether it is a simile or a metaphor and why.
For more ideas at this grade, browse the other free activities on the Hub.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades 3–5
- Subject
- Writing
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.