Simile and Metaphor Poems

Who said that it's difficult to write simile-and-metaphor-filled poems? Ask the fourth graders of our school and they would shake their heads in disagreement.

Writing poems is as easy as learning your ABC.

Here are their sample works. Can you find the similes and metaphors in the poems below?


I Am Like
By Princess K.P.

Sometimes I feel like a dizzy electric fan,
Sometimes I speak like a rabbit,
Sometimes I act like a princess,
Am I really like that?

People think that I’m as tall as a tree,
My friends tell me that I’m pretty like a mermaid,
My teachers want me to be as pretty as a princess,
What they don’t know is that I am what I am.

I Am Like
By Beautiful B.A.

Sometimes I feel like a butterfly in the air,
Sometimes I speak like a hummingbird in the garden,
Sometimes I act like a crying baby,
Am I really like that?

People think that I’m as small as an ant,
My friends tell me that I’m cute like Hello Kitty,
My teachers want me to be as smart as a scientist,
What they don’t know is that I am just what I am.

I Remember
By J.Z.


I remember that I look like a tarsier,
I remember that my classmates tease me, that my eyes are like a magnifying glass,
I remember that my parents want me to be a smart kid like Thomas Alva Edison and Isaac Newton,
Can I really be like them?

My friends tell me that I’m as noisy as an alarm clock,
People think that I’m as cute as a teddy bear,
My teachers want me to be as quiet as a lizard,
What they don’t know is I am just what I am.

Just As I Am
By XXClaXX566


One day, someone says—
I act like her
I talk like her.
And I say—
I am just as I am.

My mom says “You are smart like a Math book.”
I talk to myself, “Am I as smart as a Math book?”
Maybe?
But don’t you see I’m just as I am.
I am as cool as an ice and I always act like just as I am.

Finally, they know that
I’m not as lovely as a flower or
As smart as a computer,
But, you know, I act like just as I am.

Just So You Would Believe

Just so you would know that I met and greeted and "rubbed elbows" with your favorite author Russell Molina, I'm posting some pictures here.


Before the author-meet-the-fans moment, Sir Russell gave a talk on his journey to becoming a writer and the reasons why he writes stories for children.

FYI, Sir Russell is the author of Tuwing Sabado and Lub-dub Lub-dub, two of the winners in the recent National Children's Book Awards.





He is also the brain behind your favorite Madyik Silya ni Titoy and your soon-to-be favorite Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan.





I and JM, an Alitaptap Storyteller, were very fortunate to open the event with a tandem telling of Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan.



Million thanks to T. Hazelle of UP College of Education, Department of Reading for allowing us (her former students) to attend the Weavers of Magic spectacle.

Happy Literacy Month!

Manila International Book Fair

Meet and greet your favorite children's book authors in the 31st Manila International Book Fair in SMX Convention Center, September 15-19.



Visit the 31st MIBF website for more details.

See you there!

High in Haiku

Selected haiku poems from the Reading 6 class.



Clouds
by Madison

Are up in the sky
with the heavenly angels
singing songs of love.

Clouds
by 1303 Megumi Yamamoto

Clouds that float above,
Wow, what a wonderful sight!
In the clear blue sky.



Sun
by Adelynne 06
Mighty, mighty sun,
Thy shining rays bathe the hills,
The land and the sea.


Trees
by Code_78096

Oh wonderful trees,
What things have we done to you?
Can you forgive us?



Birds
by Backyardchicken

Flying gracefully
with those beautiful feathers
high up in the sky.


Water
by a17eabRm0s

All over the world
The happiest songs they sing
With the love they give.

Dear Strega Nona

I met Strega Nona when I was in college. I found her in the library of my Children's Literature professor. And from that day on, I fell in love with her....story.

I tirelessly waited for the day that she would be part of my personal collection. Thanks to my favorite bookshop for giving me a copy of her stories.

I love reading aloud her stories to a young audience. Strega Nona and Big Anthony (and Bambalona) make us laugh and believe in the power of imagination, words (and magic).



Last week, after reading and (chanting the magic words of) Strega Nona, I asked my second grade pupils to write Strega Nona a letter. I am overwhelmed with their outputs. Their responses are just so authentic. As a teacher, I am proud that at their very young age, they are able to come up with very meaningful (and funny) responses. I've also noticed that they were so involved and engrossed with the activity.

Here are the unedited letters of some of them. (Note: Most of these pupils are ESL or English as Second Language learners. I also decided not to edit them to "preserve" the authenticity of the "children's voices".

Happy reading!

***************
Dear Strega nona,

i want to borrow your pasta ball many people is want to taste your pasta because iwant taste your pasta

From Pupil A

***************

Dear Strega Nona, i am one of your fun i want to borrow your pasta beacuse manny People is want to taste your pasta

Dear big anthony what is the taste of pasta wow you eat the all pasta in to your town that is so manny

From Pupil B

***************
Dear Strega Nona,

can i borrow Your magic pasta pot and Your mgic ring and can You teach me Your magic. Ypur so very funny and can you teach me your song

Love
Pupil C

***************
Dear Strega Nona,

Can I borrow your magic pot beca-
use there are so many people that is hungry and I want to help them and I will just return next year, mon-
th or week. well bye for now I will just give you another letter.

Love, Pupil D

***************
Dear Strega Nona

When is your birthday
are you hands some

From Pupil E

***************
Dear Strega Nona

Can i borrow your magic ring?
Whem is your birlhday?
because i will athend in your birlhday.
Tank you. love

Pupil F

***************
Dear: Strega Nona

can you be my Friend and I
read all your story’s and all your books are Good. Do you have more Storys

Love
Pupil G

***************
Dear Strega Nona,

Hi, Strega Nona! I’m Pupil H--a Grade 2 pupil-- one of your fans. Is Big Anthony’s deeds being good now? I have also a favor, can I barrow your magic ring? Because my birthday is getting near. So that I’ll feed many noodles for many people
God bless!

Love,
Pupil H
***************
Dear Strega nona,

Make me Some pasta and i’ll be your Grandmother Can I barrow
magic Ring and if you
have Facebook i’ll add,

Love,
I

***************

Dear, Big Anhtony

Do you have Girlfriend
I wonderWho is that is

From Pupil J

***************
Dear: Strega Nona,

Your stories is very beautiful
and I want to borrow your
magic ring I want to be
your friend and How old are you
now?

Love,
Pupil K

***************

Dear Strega Nona

I want to buy your magic
ring and i want to be your
grand mother

Love
Pupil L
***************

Dear Strega Nona

Strega Nona
can you teach me your mgic
tricks and your magic things
and how to make a pasta
pot and what is big
Anthony doing there in italy
and if you do that i’ll be
happy gratia Love Pupil M

***************
Dear Strega nona,

i want to borrow your pasta ball many people is want to taste your pasta because iwant taste your pasta

From Pupil N

***************
Dear strega nona:

Strega nona can you teach me how to do
magic Strega nona can you be my
best friend where do you leave can you
be my friend in face book thank you
you have a wife

Love,
Pupil O


Thank you Tomie de Paola for giving us Strega Nona.

Adarna's Photo Contest

If you happen to have storybooks from Adarna House, then you might be interested to join this contest.

Jazz Chants Galore

Untitled Jazz Chant
by the LifeHub Group

He is very smart (4 Claps)
He is very very smart (3x)
He can answer all the questions (3x)
He can solve all the problems (3x)
But he is scared of cats
But he is scared of rats
But he is scared of bats
But he, but he is scared of purple dinosaur.......

WAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reader's Theater Scripts

Salutations!
My dear fourth graders, as promised, I am posting the links of the sites where you can get the script for your Reader's Theater project. (Note: Just click the title of each reader's theater script.)
Feel free to print them out ( and photocopy them). Don't forget to acknowledge the source of the script you are going to use. Just "copy-paste" the URL (http:....) of the web page at the bottom of your script.

Script A: Peddler Polly
PREVIEW: The storytellers of Taletown are mysteriously losing their stories, while a stranger sells “storyboxes” in the town square.

Script B: How Frog Went to Heaven
PREVIEW: Frog helps a young man who wants to marry the Sky Maiden.

Script C: The Adventures of Mouse Deer
PREVIEW: Mouse Deer is small, and many animals want to eat him—but first they have to catch him.

Script D: Special Asignment
PREVIEW:Zoe Brown is unhappy. She thinks her teacher gave her the most boring topic for her computer class’s Web site project. When Zoe starts her research, she finds an unusual online source that provides her with important -- possibly life-saving -- information that changes her mind about her assignment.


Script E: A Mystery Message
Preview: An old box contains a century-old mystery message!

Script F: Lace Up Against Bullying
Preview: Cousins Grace Taylor and Mark Brown become upset when they learn that a new classmate was bullied for wearing shoelaces with unusual colors. The pair creates a unique plan that rallies everyone in their school to stand up against bullying.

Script G: Neila in the Neighborhood
PREVIEW: As this story unfolds, readers discover that Neila is an alien on her way home from a trip. She stops to find food in a small town and visits a store, library, school, restaurant, gas station, and bank. Everywhere she goes, Neila's confusion and odd behavior cause chaos.

Script H: A Mother's Day Surprise
Preview: A family gives a much-deserved Mother's Day present!



Groups: Lifehub, NBA, Eggbox, X-box 6000, Blue Dolphins, Tekken Kids, Taekwondo Kids and Karate Kids

Decide with your group mates on what script you are going to use and START practicing as soon as you have chosen one.

The criteria for this project will be discussed on Monday. Have a happy weekend!Enjoy reading!

P.S.

Your PC need to have a PDF file reader to access scripts D-H.

Free Storybooks Online

Hi there! Would you want to read a picture storybook online? Or listen to it? There are lots of sites which offer that service for FREE.

Feel free to visit the sites/ URLs/ links below. Happy reading!

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Story Online

International Children's Digital Library

Mystery Snack Challenge

Congratulations to 4-St.Peter for copping the top spot in the Mystery Snack Challenge! Kudos to the three representatives (you know who you are). Your Banana Split a la San Pedro is truly "heavenly" in taste and appearance :)

Nag-NCBD ka na ba?

Bilang pagpupugay sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong sumusulat, naglalarawan at gumuguhit ng mga librong pambata, ipinagdiwang namin ang ika-27 National Children's Book Day o NCBD ngayong Hulyo 20.

Lubos akong nasiyahan dahil sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay naipagdiwang ko ang NCBD bilang isang guro. Noon ay sumasapat na sa akin ang panonood ng mga pagkukuwento at pagpapapirma ng mga libro sa mga manunulat at ilustrador tuwing ika-20 ng Hulyo.

Pananabik ang unang dumapo sa akin nang mabuo sa isip ko ang mga maliliit na selebrayson na maari naming gawin sa klase. Sumidhi pa ito nang malaman kong nabigyan ang aming paaralan ng limang makukulay na poster para sa naturang pagdiriwang.


Kanina ay ipinagdiwang namin ito. Isang matamis na huni sa akin tuwing maririnig kong binabati ng mga bata ang sarili nila ng "Happy NCBD!"

Sa intermediate level (Baitang 4-6), ginanap namin ang Finals ng Book Trivia Quiz Show. Ang mga katanungan ay nagmula sa mga librong nagkamit ng PBBY-Salanga at Alcala Prize at Palanca Award. Ibinukas ko sa lahat ang maliit naming silid-aklatan (na nasa aming silid-aralan) upang lahat ay makapagbasa ng mga naturang aklat.

Hindi mapapantayan ang ligayang nadama ko tuwing nakikita kong nagbabasa ang mga estudyante namin. Pakiramdam ko, nagawa ko na ang tungkulin ko bilang isang guro ng Pagbasa.

Narito ang ilan sa mahigit 35 katanungan na naisulat ko:

A. Ano ang pangalan ng pinsan ni Raquel na may pambihirang buhok?
B. Saang bayan naninirahan sina Ampalaya at iba pang gulay?
C. Ayon sa kuwentong Xilef, ano daw ang dapat gamitin upang mapigilan ang mga titik sa paglipad?
D. Sino ang sumulat ng aklat na Unang Baboy sa Langit?
E. Ilang dagang-bukid ang nanirahan sa puno sa kuwentong May Alaga akong Puno?


Bukod sa trivia quiz show, nagkaroon din kami ng patimpalak sa pagrerebyu ng mga aklat-pambata. (Ilalahatla ko dito ang ilan sa mga gawa nila.)

Sa high school level naman ay nagsagawa din sila ng boom trivia quiz show mula sa mga pamosong libro ng kanilang henerasyon gaya ng mga gawa ni Bob Ong, Stephenie Meyer,J.K. Rowling at iba pa.

Mapalad ang mga bata dahil mas napapayaman ng mga ganitong pagdiriwang ang kanilang kabataan. Sana, sa mga gawaing tulad nito ay nahimok silang patuloy na mahalin ang pagbabasa. Na sa edad nila ay masabi at mapatunayan nila na "Ang nagbabasa ng libro, laging panalo".

I Can't is Dead

During the first week of school, we had this one-of-a-kind funeral in our classroom. Pupils from other levels and sections were intrigued when my advisory class pupils told them that there was something dead in our room.

I got the idea from this site. I tried it and so far, the results are good. I modified some parts. Instead of burying it into dirt, I put it at the top of our shelf, so they(my pupils) would always see the box/coffin. I also asked them to offer letters and flowers. We also had a procession ( we went up to the third floor of our building) where four male pupils carried the very "heavy" box of papers.

My pupils' favorite part is the post-burial rite. I gave them chocolate-wafer sticks.

The Wordpecker

We have a pet bird in our room (Grade 4- Saint Peter)--the ever-hungry wordpecker. It's fun thinking of the food (unfamiliar words) we'll be feeding to it. The bird isn't choosy at all. It eats almost anything. It's been feeding on English words for almost a month. I think, he needs to balance his food intake with Filipino words. Hmmm...

The wordpecker's area is our version of a classroom word wall.

This is For You

Hi world wide web!

Thanks for the warm welcome.

You really made me feel that I have entered the digital age. That this generation is the generation of tech-savvy learners. Of kids who check their facebook account before or after doing their homework. Of pupils who google the answers to their homework. Of students who (deliberately) come to school without doing their homework because there was a blackout the night before.

Before, the television was the archenemy of teachers. Children come to school with their eyes and minds half-opened and assignments undone. But with the advent of the computer and the internet, the one-eyed babysitter is now second only to the personal computer. Some pupils tend to spend long hours in front of the monitor and have grown oblivious to its adverse effects.

Now, to help them gain a fresh perspective on how computers can make learning more exciting and more up-to-date, I have decided to create a blog where my pupils may read and critique each other's works.

I know it would be an extra work for me. Encoding their works and moderating this account. And yes, it would be outside my official work hours. But I'm also aware that my pupils deserve the best from me. And yes, this blog is for them.

They might not remember some of the lessons that I'd be sharing. I/They might misplace some of the papers marred with red marks. But the 'fossilized' versions of their magnum opus would be eternally available here in your portals, www.