Extended Metaphor: My classroom is a canvas and I am an artist….here’s a tool to help!
By: Melissa White
Tags: Strategy, Teaching And Learning, Instruction, Education, Teachers

Extended Metaphor: My classroom is a canvas and I am an artist….here’s a tool to help!

Quick Strategies Series: Part 5

One classroom strategy I have used as a classroom teacher and as an instructional coach is supporting students in creating an extended metaphor based on content or ideas we are exploring. Extended Metaphor is when you take a metaphor and extend it. In our case, break it down into parts and explain how the parts work or go together. It leads to critical thinking and rich conversations. It allows for collaboration and creation.

Here’s how it works.

The goal: Students show understanding of a text, complex idea, process, unit or other area by creating a metaphor and explaining the relationships of the parts in an extended form. Students create a visual and explain their thinking when presenting to the group.

Tools needed: I like to use chart paper for students, or they can create it on a smaller scale

Grouping: individual, partner, group, whole class if teacher wants to give each student a part of the whole.

The How:

Step One:

Students are given an idea — maybe it is a family in a text, their own life, their school, branches of government, historical groups of people, a scientific concept, there are so many possibilities. I’ve used this strategy with a group of students and had them create an extended metaphor for a group or part of their life (family, sports team, school club, sport, hobby) as a springboard to a narrative paper. I’ve also used this with a group of adults when we rolled out new leadership roles in our district.

The metaphor they choose can take the form of a place (forest, adventure land, playground), a machine (for example, a bulldozer, a tank, a computer), an object (a buffet, a bike, a car) or an event (a baseball game, a parade). Any metaphor they choose will be correct if they support their ideas and explain the relationship.

Examples of a metaphor:

The classroom was a zoo.

The family in this book is a clock.

In this book, love is a battlefield.

My friendships are a garden.

My school is a toolbox full of the tools that kids need.

My running routine is the medicine for my soul.

Step Two:

Students map out a metaphor and get into their characteristics.

Here is a simple template:

Line 1 write metaphor.

Line 2: The/my (first item) is a _______________________,

Line 3: Explain the metaphor.

Line 4: The/my (second item ) is a _____________________,

Line 5: Explain the metaphor.

Line 6: The/my (third item) is a _______________________,

Line 7: Explain the metaphor.

and so on, depending on how many lines

Here is an example that my teachers did with the leadership roles:

The Principal is the Head Coach. She sees the big picture, delegates tasks, and makes sure the team is ready for game day.

The Curriculum Coach is the offensive coordinator. They write plays and put the players where they need to be.

The instructional coach is the defensive coordinator. She adjusts to what the offense is doing and designs plans and plays for success.

The mentor teachers are the cheerleaders. They support, encourage and cheer on the team. They celebrate and inspire.

The PLC team leaders are the team captains. They create a positive atmosphere, boost morale, and communicate with the head coach.

The teacher is the quarterback. They run plays and become the link between players and the head coach. They execute greatness.

The students are the players. They are engaged in the game, follow the rules and are ready to be coached.

The parents are the spectators. They cheer and yell and support the team.

The referees are the associates. They step in when they need to, squelch unruly behavior and occasionally call foul.

Step 3:

Sketch out the metaphor in a visual way. Use labels to identify the parts.

Step 4:

Groups share their metaphor. It is important that they share their thinking when they present their metaphor.