Activity Overview
When teaching poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like metaphor, simile, stanza, alliteration, personification, rhyme scheme, and onomatopoeia are a few important terms.
In this activity, students can create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element that they can find in the poem. You may chose to focus on one element at a time, or if the students are advanced, you can focus on many.
Here is an example of six literary elements found in “Your World”:
Alliteration
- Repetition of a sound
- Example: “narrowest nest”
Assonance
- The repetition of a vowel sound
- Example: Open "O" words ("corner", "horizon", "cordons", "soared")
These sounds create a soaring, flying effect for the reader.
Metaphor
- A comparison, or association, without using 'like' or ‘as’
- Example: Bird = Person
"My wings pressing close to my side."
"And cradled my wings on the breeze”
Simile
- A comparison using 'like' or 'as'
- Example: “Your world is as big as you make it”
Imagery
- Visually descriptive or figurative language
- Example: “I throbbed with a burning desire”
Apostrophe
- Poet addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing
- Example: “Your world is as big as you make it”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows five examples of literary elements in "Your World".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
When teaching poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like metaphor, simile, stanza, alliteration, personification, rhyme scheme, and onomatopoeia are a few important terms.
In this activity, students can create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element that they can find in the poem. You may chose to focus on one element at a time, or if the students are advanced, you can focus on many.
Here is an example of six literary elements found in “Your World”:
Alliteration
- Repetition of a sound
- Example: “narrowest nest”
Assonance
- The repetition of a vowel sound
- Example: Open "O" words ("corner", "horizon", "cordons", "soared")
These sounds create a soaring, flying effect for the reader.
Metaphor
- A comparison, or association, without using 'like' or ‘as’
- Example: Bird = Person
"My wings pressing close to my side."
"And cradled my wings on the breeze”
Simile
- A comparison using 'like' or 'as'
- Example: “Your world is as big as you make it”
Imagery
- Visually descriptive or figurative language
- Example: “I throbbed with a burning desire”
Apostrophe
- Poet addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing
- Example: “Your world is as big as you make it”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows five examples of literary elements in "Your World".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Literary Elements in \"Your World\" by Georgia Douglas Johnson
How to introduce literary elements using interactive group work
Engage students by dividing them into small groups and assigning each group a different literary element to explore. Collaborative activities encourage participation and help students learn from each other as they identify and discuss examples in the poem.
Guide students to brainstorm examples together
Ask each group to read the poem aloud and work together to find words or lines that represent their assigned element. This shared discovery builds confidence and deepens understanding.
Facilitate creative storyboarding as a team
Supply chart paper or digital tools for each group to create a visual storyboard. Let students illustrate and caption their chosen example, making the abstract concept more concrete for all learners.
Encourage groups to present their findings
Invite each group to share their storyboard with the class. Encourage students to explain how their example fits the literary element, promoting public speaking skills and peer-to-peer teaching.
Wrap up with a class reflection
Lead a brief discussion on which literary elements were easiest or hardest to find and why. This reflection helps students solidify their understanding and connect learning to future poetry studies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Elements in \"Your World\" by Georgia Douglas Johnson
What are the main literary elements in 'Your World' by Georgia Douglas Johnson?
The main literary elements in 'Your World' by Georgia Douglas Johnson include alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, imagery, and apostrophe. These elements enrich the poem and help students understand figurative language.
How can I teach literary elements using 'Your World' to elementary students?
To teach literary elements with 'Your World', have students identify examples of each element in the poem, discuss their meaning, and create storyboards illustrating the elements. This hands-on approach makes abstract concepts more concrete for young learners.
What is an example of a metaphor in 'Your World'?
An example of a metaphor in 'Your World' is: “My wings pressing close to my side.” Here, wings represent a person’s potential or ambitions, comparing a person to a bird without using 'like' or 'as'.
What activities help students identify figurative language in poetry?
Engaging activities include creating storyboards that illustrate literary elements, group discussions to find examples, and filling out graphic organizers with definitions and examples from the poem. These strategies boost comprehension and creativity.
Why is teaching literary elements important in early grades?
Teaching literary elements in early grades helps students develop strong reading comprehension, recognize figurative language, and appreciate poetry. It lays the foundation for advanced literary analysis and creative thinking.
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