Self Portrait Simile Poems

Objectives
• Students will learn about self portraits.
• Students will learn to recognize a simile in others’ writing.
• Students will write their own similes to create a self-portrait.
• Students will use a word processor to publish a final draft of the self-portrait.

Technology Skills Developed

• using a word processing program
• changing fonts and colors of text
• inserting clip art

Programs Needed
• a word processing program such as Microsoft Word

Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Talk with students about self-portraits. If possible, view self-portraits on the Internet. This can
help the students understand that a self-portrait can take many forms.

2. Review the use of similes. Once again, the Internet could be used to research similes in writing
and to gain instructional ideas for teaching children how to write similes.

3. Have students practice writing a variety of similes.

4. Once the students are comfortable with similes, instruct them to write similes that describe
themselves. This process may take some time, as students must really reflect and find the
vocabulary to express themselves.

5. Once you have approved their writing and students are happy with the results, they can then open
blank word processing documents.

6. Direct students to type their self-portraits. They may want to use different fonts and colors to
enhance the visual effect.

7. If students desire to, they can add clip art. Instruct them to go to the Insert menu and then choose
Picture, then choose Clip Art.

8. Students should select the clip art they would like and click OK.

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 Self Portrait Simile Poems (cont.)
9. Students can size the clip art can by clicking on the bottom-right handle and dragging it to the
desired size.
10. Students can use WordArt to display a catchy title at the top of the page. They open the WordArt
gallery by clicking on the slanted A in the Drawing toolbar.
11. They can then select a type of WordArt and type the title.

12. Once the title appears on the page, it can be altered with the WordArt tool bar that appears.

13. Save the work and print it for a writing wall, or for Open House!

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 Self Portrait Simile Poems (cont.)
Example Poem

My hair is as silky as a deadly spider’s new spun web

waiting for its prey.

My brain is like a rainstorm waiting to give flashing

lightning.

My cheeks are as rosy and sweet as a blue jay’s joyful call to his
friends

My mouth is like a scratched CD uneasily stopping and going.

My eyes are sparkling like the stars in the night sky vibrantly shining.

My heart is as soft as a cute bunny’s cottontail bouncing

about.

I live in a microphone and eat the high notes and low notes of the
singer’s radiant voice.

My heart holds a picture of a loving face that is smiling like the friendly
flowers in a meadow.

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 Self Portrait Simile Poems (cont.)
Example Poem

My hair is as spiky as thorns on a sticky rose bush in a meadow the color of a

majestic eagle’s wings.

My legs are like two wheels on a bicycle speeding down a massive hill.

My eyes are as blue as the inspiring ocean in the dawn of a morning in Hawaii.

My arms are two frail sticks stuck in a snowman after a blizzard in a bitter cold
winter.

My fists are like burning balls of fire ready to destroy its enemy.

My chest is as tough as a steel wall protecting a room full of glistening gold and
riches.

My heart holds patriotism that is as beautiful as the stars and stripes on the
American flag.

I live in a basketball and feed off of the sound of a swish after the ball falls
through the net.

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