Worksheet

Noor's Choir Journal

Read four journal entries about a choir solo and explain what the similes and metaphors mean, using clues from the text.

Grade 4ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toL.4.5.a

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What’s included

Single worksheet
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1 Common Core standard
Printable answer key
9 questions
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Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 4
Subject: ELA
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students explain the meaning of similes and metaphors in journal entries.
Students find text clues that explain what a metaphor means.
Students explain similes and metaphors in new sentences.

How to use

Have students read the journal on their own or with a partner, then answer the questions. Use the last question for a short class talk about how a metaphor can carry a big idea.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

L.4.5.a

Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context, such as as pretty as a picture.

Preview

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Name Date

Noor's Choir Journal

Explain the similes and metaphors in four journal entries.

Read the journal

Read Noor's journal. Look for the similes and metaphors she uses.

Noor's Choir Journal

1Monday
Today was my first day in the school choir. Our teacher, Ms. Adeyemi, sang the first line of a new song to show us how it goes. Her voice is warm honey, so smooth and sweet that the whole room got quiet to listen. Then she told us something I want to remember. "This choir is a quilt," she said. "Every voice is a different patch, and when we sing together, we make one beautiful thing."

2Wednesday
Big news! Ms. Adeyemi picked me to sing a short solo at the spring concert. When she said my name, my stomach turned into a washing machine. What if I forgot the words? At practice, I tried my part for the first time. My voice came out as squeaky as a door that needs oil, and a few kids giggled. The last high note is a mountain I have to climb, and today I did not reach the top.

3Sunday
I practiced all weekend. My little brother, Sami, is a parrot. Every time I sing a line, he sings it right back to me, even in the bathtub! At first it bothered me, but then it helped me remember the words. By tonight, my voice sounded smoother, and I reached the high note three times in a row.

4Thursday
Tonight was the concert. In our matching blue shirts, we looked like a row of blueberries. When the curtain opened, the stage lights glowed like tiny moons, and the auditorium was a sea of faces. I found Grandpa in the third row, waving. Our first song began, and all of our different voices blended into one big sound. When my solo came, I took a deep breath. The high note floated out like a soap bubble, light and smooth. Then the clapping began. It was a waterfall of sound, pouring over all of us. Afterward, Grandpa hugged me and said my voice was as clear as a bell. Next year, I want an even longer solo!

Explain the comparisons

A simile compares two things using like or as. A metaphor says one thing is another thing. Use clues in the journal to explain each comparison.

In paragraph 1, Ms. Adeyemi says, "This choir is a quilt." What does she mean?

A. The singers will sew a quilt for the concert.
B. The choir will sing a song about blankets.
C. Different voices join together to make one song.
D. The choir room feels as cozy as a warm bed.

Match each comparison from the journal to what it means.

Ms. Adeyemi's voice is warm honey.
My voice came out as squeaky as a door that needs oil.
In our matching blue shirts, we looked like a row of blueberries.
The auditorium was a sea of faces.

A. The singers stood in a line, all dressed in blue.
B. A big crowd of people filled the room.
C. Noor's voice sounded high and scratchy.
D. Her singing sounds smooth and sweet.

Use the word box to finish each sentence. One word will not be used.

Word bank: loud · bored · nervous · bright

When Noor's stomach "turned into a washing machine," she felt .
When the stage lights "glowed like tiny moons," they were .
When the clapping "was a waterfall of sound," it was very .

In paragraph 2, Noor says the high note "is a mountain I have to climb," and that she "did not reach the top." What does she mean?

A. She could not climb the steps to the stage.
B. She could not see over the taller singers.
C. She could not get her music off a high shelf.
D. She could not sing the hard high note yet.

Reread paragraph 3. Noor says her brother Sami "is a parrot." Highlight the sentence that explains what she means.

I practiced all weekend.My little brother, Sami, is a parrot.Every time I sing a line, he sings it right back to me, even in the bathtub!At first it bothered me, but then it helped me remember the words.By tonight, my voice sounded smoother, and I reached the high note three times in a row.

Which two comparisons tell how Noor's singing sounded at the concert in paragraph 4? Choose two.

A. as squeaky as a door that needs oil
B. floated out like a soap bubble
C. a waterfall of sound
D. as clear as a bell
E. warm honey

Comparisons in new sentences

Use clues in each sentence to explain the comparison.

Ella's little cousin asks "Why?" after everything anyone says. "She is a question machine," Ella laughs. What does Ella mean?

A. She plays with a toy that beeps.
B. She asks a lot of questions.
C. She answers every question right.
D. She is too shy to say anything.

After a long car ride, Dad climbed out and stretched. "My legs are as stiff as boards," he said. What does Dad mean?

A. His legs were hard to bend and move.
B. His legs were long and very thin.
C. His legs hurt from carrying wood.
D. His legs felt warm and relaxed.

In paragraph 1, Ms. Adeyemi says, "This choir is a quilt." How does the concert in paragraph 4 show that her idea is true? Use details from the journal.