Personification is the quality of giving nonhuman objects human qualities. We do this more often than we think in everyday oral communication. The GrammarSong video “Personification” has a bit of an eerie feel as “non-human things act just like they’re alive!” The video provides example after example, laying a foundation for student understanding.

Melissa's Teaching Tips

Fourth Grade

• Complete grammar sheets “Identifying Personification.”
  • Extra Engagement: Use the material presented within the grammar sheet as a whole class smart board or interactive white board lesson.

• Connect the concept of personification to writing by completing the grammar sheet “Using Personification.”
• Look for examples of personification in real literature or when reading in a basal text. Encourage young writers to add personification to their narratives.

***See activities at the end of fifth grade for activities incorporating multiple types of figurative language simultaneously.

Fifth Grade

• If necessary, review grammar sheets “Identifying Personification."
  • Extra Engagement: Use the information presented within the sheets to model sentences on a white board or smart board to create a whole class lesson. Cut the sheet apart, gluing the related answers from the answer key on the back to use within a cooperative learning structure or as a self-checking center activity.

• Connect the concept of personification to writing by completing the grammar sheet “Using Personification.”
• Look for examples of personification in real literature or when reading in a basal text. Encourage young writers to add personification to their narratives.

***As a teacher-led center activity, complete the “Analyzing Figurative Language” activity. For independent follow-up, or using a partner or cooperative learning structure, complete grammar sheets “Figurative Language Fiesta” and “Figurative Language Comprehensive Review.”