Reading Poems: Reading a short poem and identifying simple figures of speech for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Reading
Focal competence: Reading and comprehending short poems, stories and plays
Skills:

• Reading skill

Previous Lesson: Adjectives: Comparative
Topic: Reading Poems
Subject Matter: Reading a short poem and identifying simple figures of speech

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify simple figures of speech (simile and metaphor) in a short poem.

Psychomotor Domain

• Read short poems with reasonable comprehension.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Studies textbook for Primary 4
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Flashcards with examples of figures of speech
• A chart or whiteboard with a short, age-appropriate poem written on it
• Audio recordings of poems (optional)
• Course books

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it helps pupils develop their reading comprehension skills, specifically in understanding poetic language. Learning to identify figures of speech enhances their appreciation of literature and improves their ability to interpret deeper meanings in texts, which is a fundamental skill for academic success.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously read simple sentences and short stories, and can identify basic literary elements like characters and setting.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Reading Poems

What is a Poem?

A poem is a piece of writing that expresses ideas or emotions in a beautiful style, often using rhythm and rhyme. Poems use special language to create pictures in our minds.

Tips for Reading a Poem

1. Read the poem slowly and carefully.
2. Listen to the sounds of the words.
3. Try to imagine what the poem is describing.
4. Read it more than once to understand it better.

Example Poem: “Nature’s Wonders”

The sun is a golden ball so bright,
Shining down with all its light.
The grass is green, like an emerald spread,
Where tiny insects make their bed.
The wind howls like a hungry wolf at night,
Filling the air with a sudden fright.

Simple Figures of Speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases used in a non-literal way to create a special effect or meaning. For Primary 4, we will learn about Simile and Metaphor.

1. Simile

A simile compares two different things using the words “like” or “as”. It helps us to understand something by showing how it is similar to something else.

Examples:

1. “The grass is green, like an emerald spread.” (Comparing grass to an emerald using “like”)
2. “The wind howls like a hungry wolf at night.” (Comparing the wind’s howl to a wolf’s howl using “like”)
3. “She swims like a fish.”
4. “He is as brave as a lion.”

2. Metaphor

A metaphor also compares two different things, but it says that one thing *is* another thing, without using “like” or “as”. It makes a direct comparison.

Examples:

1. “The sun is a golden ball so bright.” (Saying the sun *is* a golden ball)
2. “My teacher is a walking dictionary.” (Saying the teacher *is* a dictionary)
3. “The classroom is a zoo.”

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Reading Aloud, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they know what a poem is or if they have ever read one. The teacher then introduces the topic: Reading Poems.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Prior poem knowledge

Step 2: Introducing Poem Reading

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a poem is and shares some simple tips for reading poems for better understanding. The teacher then presents the poem “Nature’s Wonders” on the board or chart.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and observe the poem presented.

Learning Point: Poem reading tips

Step 3: Teacher Reads the Poem

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Pronunciation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reads the poem “Nature’s Wonders” aloud to the class, paying attention to expression, rhythm, and clarity. The teacher asks pupils to listen carefully.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen carefully as the teacher reads the poem.

Learning Point: Expressive poem reading

Step 4: Pupils Read the Poem

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils to read the poem aloud, first in chorus, then individually. The teacher provides support with pronunciation and comprehension, asking simple questions about the poem’s meaning.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the poem aloud, first together, then individually, and answer comprehension questions.

Learning Point: Poem comprehension

Step 5: Introducing Simile

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the figure of speech “Simile,” explaining that it compares two things using “like” or “as.” The teacher points out examples of similes in the poem “Nature’s Wonders” (e.g., “like an emerald,” “like a hungry wolf”) and gives other simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, identify similes in the poem, and suggest other examples.

Learning Point: Simile identification

Step 6: Introducing Metaphor

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the figure of speech “Metaphor,” explaining that it says one thing *is* another. The teacher points out the metaphor in the poem “Nature’s Wonders” (e.g., “The sun is a golden ball”) and provides other simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, identify the metaphor in the poem, and suggest other examples.

Learning Point: Metaphor identification

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Read the poem “Nature’s Wonders” again.
2. What is a simile? Give one example from the poem.
3. What is a metaphor? Give one example from the poem.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Poem comprehension, FOS identification

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on reading poems and identifying figures of speech into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Notes copying

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reinforces the main idea of the lesson, reminding pupils that poems use special language like similes and metaphors to make their writing more interesting. The teacher encourages them to look for these in other poems or stories.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Lesson summary

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Read the short poem below and answer the questions that follow in your notebook.

Poem: “The Night Sky”
The moon is a giant coin in the night,
Shining softly, a silvery light.
The stars are diamonds, twinkling bright,
Scattered across the dark, dark night.
The clouds drift by, like fluffy sheep so slow,
Watching the silent world below.

1. Read the poem aloud to an adult at home.
2. Identify one simile from the poem.
3. Identify one metaphor from the poem.
4. What is the poem mostly about?

Lesson Keywords

• Poem – A piece of writing that expresses ideas or emotions in a beautiful style, often using rhythm and rhyme.
• Simile – A figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as”.
• Metaphor – A figure of speech that compares two different things by saying one thing *is* another.
• Comprehension – The ability to understand what you read.

Differentiation

For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide simpler poems or focus only on identifying similes. For faster learners, the teacher can encourage them to write a short sentence using a simile or metaphor, or identify other descriptive words in the poem.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: reading poems for primary 4 simile metaphor

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have selected and prepared an age-appropriate poem for Primary 4, either written on a chart, whiteboard, or printed for each pupil. Review the definitions and examples of simile and metaphor to present them clearly. Begin by engaging pupils with questions about poems to activate their prior knowledge. Guide them through reading the poem, first by modelling, then through choral and individual readings, checking for comprehension. When introducing figures of speech, use clear, simple language and point out examples directly from the poem. Encourage pupils to identify these figures of speech themselves. The Board Summary should be copied by pupils after the main teaching points have been covered and understood. Provide extra support for weaker learners by giving more direct examples or simpler sentences, and challenge faster learners to create their own examples or find more figures of speech in other texts.