Simile Detective Worksheet Session 1 Practice The Outsiders • Figurative Language
Simile Detective Worksheet
Name:
Date: Class:
Simile Anchor Rule Clue Words: LIKE or AS
Thing 1 Character
LIKE or AS
Thing 2 Object / Animal
=
Mind Picture Clear Meaning!
Step 1: Model Example from Chapter 1
“Johnny looked like a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times.”
1. Clue Word
like
2. Compare
Johnny ➔ Scared puppy
3. Meaning
He is scared & hurt
Partner Talk Routine (Listen & Speak) Speaking Level 3
Partner A (Point & Read):
“I see the clue word like / as in this sentence.”
Partner B (Explain Meaning):
“The author compares [Character] to [Object] because both are …”
Detective Case Files (Read & Write)
Use Word Banks Below
Case 1: Sodapop Circle the clue word: LIKE or AS
“Soda gets drunk on plain living… he is wild and nervous, like a young colt.”
1. Clue Word:
2. Compares Soda to:
Word Bank: a young wild horse • a heavy stone
3. What does it mean?
Sentence frame: Soda has lots of energy and is always active.
Case 2: Darry Curtis Circle the clue word: LIKE or AS
“Darry’s eyes were pale and cold, as hard as ice.”
1. Clue Word:
2. Compares eyes to:
Word Bank: cold hard ice • warm soft grass
3. What does it mean?
Sentence frame: Darry looks strict, serious, and tough.
Self-Check: I found LIKE or AS I spoke with my partner
Level 2/3 ELA Scaffold
Metaphor Hunter Worksheet Session 2 Practice The Outsiders • Figurative Language
Metaphor Hunter Worksheet
Name:
Date: Class:
Metaphor Anchor Rule NO “LIKE” • NO “AS”
Thing 1 Character / Place
IS / WAS
Thing 2 Direct Name
=
Hidden Secret Same Trait!
Step 1: Model Example from Chapter 1
“Johnny was the gang’s pet, everyone’s kid brother.”
1. Clue Check
No “like” or “as”
2. Direct Bridge
Johnny ➔ Gang’s pet
3. Meaning
They protect & love him
Partner Talk Routine (Listen & Speak) Speaking Level 3
Partner A (State the Metaphor):
“The author says [A] IS [B] without using like or as.”
Partner B (Explain Trait):
“That means [A] is very [trait] because …”
Metaphor Hunt Cases (Read & Write)
Choose from Word Bank
Case 1: Darry Curtis Check: Does it use “like” or “as”? NO!
“Darry is a hard rock that never cries or gives up.”
1. Person named:
2. Direct Metaphor:
Word Bank: a hard rock • a singing bird
3. What does it mean?
Sentence frame: Darry is strong, tough, and does not show fear.
Case 2: The Vacant Lot Check: Does it use “like” or “as”? NO!
“At night, the empty vacant lot was a calm island of peace for the gang.”
1. Place named:
2. Direct Metaphor:
Word Bank: a calm island • a noisy car
3. What does it mean?
Sentence frame: The vacant lot is a safe place where the gang can rest.
Self-Check: I saw NO “like” or “as” I explained the shared trait
Level 2/3 ELA Scaffold
Greaser Talk Activity Session 3 Practice The Outsiders • Figurative Language
Greaser Talk Activity
Name:
Date: Partner:
SIMILE RULE
Uses clue words: LIKE or AS
METAPHOR RULE
NO “like” or “as” • Uses: IS or WAS
Step 1: Read the 4 Character Cards Circle clue words if you see LIKE or AS
Card 1: Two-Bit Chapter 1
“Two-Bit was grinning like a chessy cat from ear to ear.”
Card 2: Dally Winston Chapter 2
“Dallas Winston was a wild wolf with dangerous cold eyes.”
Card 3: Soda Curtis Chapter 3
“Soda can run as fast as the wind across the open field.”
Card 4: Johnny Cade Chapter 4
“Johnny was a quiet shadow hiding silently in the darkness.”
Step 2: Sort the Cards (Write Card # in the Box)
Simile Zone (Has LIKE / AS)
Card #
Card #
Metaphor Zone (Direct IS / WAS)
Card #
Card #
Step 3: Partner Talk Protocol (Speak Out Loud) WIDA Level 3 Oral Rehearsal
Partner 1: “I put Card # in the [Simile / Metaphor] zone because I notice [clue word / no clue word].”
Partner 2: “I agree. The author compares [Character] to [Thing] to show that he is [brave / scared / cheerful].”
Step 4: Written Explanation (Complete the Sentences)
1. Explain Card 1 (Two-Bit):
The author uses a
(simile / metaphor) to show that Two-Bit is always
.
Word Bank: smiling and joking • crying • angry
2. Explain Card 4 (Johnny):
The author uses a
(simile / metaphor) to show that Johnny is
.
Word Bank: quiet and trying to hide • loud and fighting
Partner Check: We sorted all 4 cards We both practiced speaking
Session 3 Mastery Bridge
Figurative Mastery Assessment Formative Assessment The Outsiders • Similes & Metaphors
Figurative Mastery Assessment
Name:
Date: Score:
Key Reminders: Simile: has LIKE or AS | Metaphor: NO like/as, says IS or WAS
Part 1: Identify the Type (Circle the Clue Word & Choose) 3 Points
“Johnny looked like a scared puppy in the dark alley.”
Simile Metaphor
“Darry is a solid stone wall that protects the younger brothers.”
Simile Metaphor
“Ponyboy sat as still as a statue in the empty church.”
Simile Metaphor
Part 2: What Does It Mean? (Choose the Best Meaning) 2 Points
When the author says Johnny is “like a scared puppy,” what does this mean?
A) Johnny is tough and wants to fight B) Johnny is gentle, nervous, and hurt
When the author says Darry is “a solid stone wall,” what does this mean?
A) Darry is strong and will not break B) Darry is lazy and sleeps all day
Part 3: Oral Conference Check (Speaking Level 3) 3 Points (Teacher Scored)
Oral Prompt: Read this sentence out loud to your teacher or partner:
“Soda gets wild on life, like a young colt running in the grass.”
Say these 2 sentences using this speaking frame:
“1. I see the word [word], so this is a [simile / metaphor].”
“2. It compares Soda to a young horse to show that he has [energy / anger].”
Teacher Rubric: Identified Type (1pt) Used Frame (1pt) Explained Meaning (1pt)
Part 4: Complete the Sentence (Writing Level 2) 2 Points
Complete this simile about Two-Bit using words from the Word Bank:
Two-Bit grinned like a
because he is always
.
Word Bank: chessy cat • scared rabbit • smiling and making jokes • angry and yelling
Mastery Scale: 8–10 pts: Bridging (Mastered) 5–7 pts: Developing 1–4 pts: Emerging
Total: ___ / 10 Points
Mastery Scoring Guide Teacher Guide & Rubric The Outsiders Mini-Unit
Mastery Scoring Guide
WIDA 8th Grade ELA L2 Read/Write • L3 Speak/Listen
Mini-Unit Sequence & Practice Sessions Overview
Session 1: Similes
Focus: Finding clue words like and as. Use gestural cues (linking fingers) to connect character to image.
Session 2: Metaphors
Focus: Direct comparison without like/as. Anchor chart emphasizes IS / WAS as a direct bridge to hidden traits.
Session 3: Showdown
Focus: Reciprocal partner sorting and oral rehearsal (L3 speaking). Students verbally justify classification before writing (L2 writing).
High-Leverage Scaffolds for Limited Literacy & Level 2/3
1. Dual-Modality (Talk ➔ Write)
Always model the oral sentence frame first. Students practice speaking in pairs before picking up their pencils to write.
2. Visual Anchor Cards
Keep icon formulas visible: [Person] + LIKE/AS + [Object] vs. [Person] IS [Object].
Formative Assessment Answer Key (10 Total Points)
Part 1: Identification (3 pts)
• Item 1: Simile (Clue: “like”)
• Item 2: Metaphor (No like/as; “is a solid stone wall”)
• Item 3: Simile (Clue: “as… as”)
Part 2: Meaning Match (2 pts)
• Item 4: B (Johnny is gentle, nervous, and hurt)
• Item 5: A (Darry is strong and will not break)
Part 4: Scaffolded Writing (2 pts)
Acceptable completion: “Two-Bit grinned like a chessy cat because he is always smiling and making jokes.” (1 pt image accuracy, 1 pt meaning rationale).
Part 3 Oral Conference Rubric (3 Points)
1-on-1 or Audio Station
1 pt: Clue Identification
Identifies “like” and names it as a simile.
1 pt: Sentence Frame
Uses provided speaking frame with comprehensible pronunciation.
1 pt: Trait Meaning
Explains Soda has high energy, is playful, or wild.
Action Steps: Emerging (1–4): Re-teach with physical sorting cards & highlight tape. Developing (5–7): Partner review with dialogue frames.
WIDA Level 2/3 Guide
