Activator Week 31
Day 1
 On the line that says RL7.4, define figurative language.
 Watch the video to help you define the following
terms:
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
http://bit.ly/oyu64E
 Simile = direct comparison of two unlike things using
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the words like or as
Metaphor = comparing two unlike things without
using like or as
Imagery = language appealing to the five senses
Personification = giving an animal, object, or abstract
idea human qualities
Tone = an author’s attitude toward the subject
examples: sarcastic, humorous, serious
Allusion = indirect reference to a well-known person,
event, or object in history or literary work
Three types of allusion
 Literary allusion: He’s driving me crazy. I don’t
know when he’s going to be Dr. Jekyll or Mr.
Hyde.
 Biblical allusion: After the fight, Frank stood
over Walter feeling like David over Goliath.
 Mythological allusion: With a Herculean effort,
Nyles lifted the cart off the man trapped
underneath.
 Listen to the recording and answer the following
questions:
How is the sun described?
What type of figurative
language is used?
Coached Examples
1. When a predator is near, a sea of meerkats pours
into the nearest bolt hole to safety.
This sentence is an example of
A. Personification (was something given human
qualities?)
B. Metaphor (were two unlike objects compared?)
C. Allusion (was a reference made to literature, the
Bible, or mythology?)
D. Simile (did the comparison use like or as?)
Coached Example
2. Which sentence is a simile?
A. Meerkats live in large groups called gangs
or mobs.
B. Members stick to each other like glue,
creating tight family units.
C. Despite their small size, meerkats have
impressive survival skills.
D. Meerkats also like to dig thousands of
holes for quick escapes from predators.
Be careful…two answers used the
word like.
A. Meerkats live in large groups called gangs
or mobs.
B. Members stick to each other like glue,
creating tight family units.
C. Despite their small size, meerkats have
impressive survival skills.
D. Meerkats also like to dig thousands of
holes for quick escapes from predators.
Find the figurative language…
My trips around the city with
Aunt Natalie were always wonderful,
even when we did nothing except
wander around. She loved exploring
uncharted corners of the city. She
was a modern-day Columbus, except
she didn’t travel by ship.
Find the figurative language…
Aunt Natalie was a writer, and I
think our excursions were fuel for
her imagination. Though she and my
mother grew up here, she said there
were still places to explore. The city
was like an open book, and she was
still on chapter one.
Lesson Assessment
Answer the questions given to you and then copy
this sentence onto your sheet.
I stared into the dark,
musty tunnel, listening for the
thunderous rumble of the
approaching train.
(Underline the examples of imagery.)
1. D
2. C
3. A
4. A
Closing
Fold your paper into quarters.
 Write four different types of figurative
language, one in each box.
 Draw a picture of the comparison you
made.
 Label each box with the type of
figurative language used.
Activator Day 2
 Define the literary term theme.
 It is the central message or lesson
 Common themes in literature include:
 Honesty is the best policy
 Don’t be afraid to try something new
 Don’t put off till tomorrow what you should do today
 Appearances can be deceiving
 Don’t pretend to be something you’re not
How to identify a theme…
 A. The title of a passage may be a clue to the theme.
Example: The Little Engine that Could
(Theme: Keep trying and you will succeed)
 B. Pay attention to what the characters repeatedly
say or do.
Example: One brother pig worked hard to build his house
from bricks while the others didn’t.
(Theme: Hard work pays off, short cuts do not.)
How to identify a theme…
 C. Consider the story’s setting and important ideas
work together.
Example: The setting of Hatchet is the wilderness, and
the main character is trying to survive.
(Theme: Being creative in tough situations can resolve
your problems)
How is a summary different from a
theme?
 A summary is short restatement of the text in your
own words. It may include the theme, but it will also
include the most important and relevant details.
 DO NOT INCLUDE MINOR DETAILS, AND BE SURE
TO USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
Listen: What is the theme of the
passage?
 How did you identify the theme?
“Mr. Nobody”
I know a funny little man as quite as a mouse,
Who does the mischief that is done
in everybody’s house.
There’s no one who’s ever seen his face,
And yet we all agree
That every plate we break was cracked by Mr. Nobody.
1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is the theme of the poem?
No one wants to take responsibility for mistakes.
No one ever sees Mr. Nobody
Don’t take the blame for others.
Nobody is perfect.
2. Which line from the poem BEST supports this theme?
a. “As quiet as a mouse”
b. “I know a funny little man”
c. “There’s no one who’s ever seen his face”
d. “In everybody’s house”
Lesson Assessment (Quiz)
Complete the four Lesson Assessment questions.
 1. C
 2. C
 3. D
 4. B
Show your understanding of
theme…
 Read Model 1 and Model 2 on page 305 in the literature
book.
 Answer the Close Read questions to the right of each
passage.
 Read Part 3: Analyze the Literature on pages 307-309
in the literature book.
 Answer the Close Read questions associated with this
passage.
Closing
Pick at least three of these titles and write a four-five
sentence summary that includes the story’s theme:
Holes
Harry Potter
Twilight
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Hunger Games
Hatchet
The Outsiders
The Giver
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Lightening Thief
Uglies
Cinderella
The Tortoise and the Hare
Activator Day 4
Clear your desk of everything except a #2 pencil, one
piece of paper, and your behavior card.
If you score a 75 or above on this test, you will not have
homework over spring break.
If you score below 75, you will have a packet of work that
will count as a project grade and will be due on the day
you return. A zero on a project will drop your grade in
this class by one letter.
Graded Writing Assignment…
Prompt: Describe the situation that occurred in class
yesterday that resulted in the sub leaving a note saying
you were disrespectful to him and to each other. Explain
why some students make poor choices when I am not
here. Discuss possible consequences for the poor
behavior.
Rubric: Organization = 5 paragraphs (intro, 3 body,
closing)
Ideas = Topic sentences, details, examples, and specific
names.
Conventions = Proper capitalization and punctuation
Activator Day 5
Describe what happens when a student does not pass the
CRCT.
 Explain the impact on the student
 Explain the impact on the teacher
 Explain the impact on the school
Work Session
 Put your proper heading on two pieces of paper.
 DO NOT WRITE ON THE PACKETS.
 As you complete the packet, come to me for the answer
key.
 Start the next packet, and I will call you over to tell you
your grade.