Activity Overview
For an additional activity to combine history with ELA, students can create storyboards identifying figurative language in a story about the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean. They can do this for the story they chose for the Literature Connections activity, or they can use a new one!
Encounter by Jane Yolen is the story of the Taíno people living on the island of San Salvador in 1492 when Columbus and the Spanish colonizers first arrived. It is told through the eyes of a young Taíno boy who tried to warn his people about these strange visitors. At the end, the boy is an old man reflecting on the devastating destruction of his people and a lost civilization. The book is full of striking illustrations and vivid figurative language, including personification, simile, and metaphor that allows the reader to see this "encounter" from the point of view of the Taíno people.
Figurative Language in the book Encounter
- Simile: "In my dream . . . three great-winged birds with voices like thunder rode wild waves in our bay."
- Metaphor: "The baby canoes spat out many strange creatures, men but not men."
- Simile"We did not know them as human beings, for they hid their bodies in colors, like parrots. Their feet were hidden, also."
- Simile: "Many of them had hair growing like bushes on their chins."
- Metaphor: "The hand felt like flesh and blood, but the skin was moon to my sun."
- Simile: "Not like talking but like the barking of a yellow dog."
- Metaphor: "The hand felt like flesh and blood, but the skin was moon to my sun."
- Personification: "And they gave hollow shells with tongues that sang chunga-chunga." (Bells)
- Simile: "I leaned forward and stared into their chief’s eyes. They were blue and gray like the shifting sea."
Simile: ". . . [I] stared at each of the strangers in turn. Even those with dark human eyes looked away, like dogs before they are driven from the fire."
Metaphor: "It was the serpent’s smile - no lips and all teeth."
Metaphor: "round pools to hold in the hand that gave a man back his face." (Mirror)
Metaphor: "darts that sprang from sticks with a sound like thunder that could kill a parrot many paces away." (hand cannon)
Personification: "our blood would cry out in the sand."
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Demonstrate your understanding of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification) by illustrating examples from the text.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of figurative language in the text.
- Put the type of figurative language (such as simile, metaphor or personification) in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using a combination of appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 examples of figurative language, correct types of figurative language matched with the text and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | There are two correct examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
Activity Overview
For an additional activity to combine history with ELA, students can create storyboards identifying figurative language in a story about the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean. They can do this for the story they chose for the Literature Connections activity, or they can use a new one!
Encounter by Jane Yolen is the story of the Taíno people living on the island of San Salvador in 1492 when Columbus and the Spanish colonizers first arrived. It is told through the eyes of a young Taíno boy who tried to warn his people about these strange visitors. At the end, the boy is an old man reflecting on the devastating destruction of his people and a lost civilization. The book is full of striking illustrations and vivid figurative language, including personification, simile, and metaphor that allows the reader to see this "encounter" from the point of view of the Taíno people.
Figurative Language in the book Encounter
- Simile: "In my dream . . . three great-winged birds with voices like thunder rode wild waves in our bay."
- Metaphor: "The baby canoes spat out many strange creatures, men but not men."
- Simile"We did not know them as human beings, for they hid their bodies in colors, like parrots. Their feet were hidden, also."
- Simile: "Many of them had hair growing like bushes on their chins."
- Metaphor: "The hand felt like flesh and blood, but the skin was moon to my sun."
- Simile: "Not like talking but like the barking of a yellow dog."
- Metaphor: "The hand felt like flesh and blood, but the skin was moon to my sun."
- Personification: "And they gave hollow shells with tongues that sang chunga-chunga." (Bells)
- Simile: "I leaned forward and stared into their chief’s eyes. They were blue and gray like the shifting sea."
Simile: ". . . [I] stared at each of the strangers in turn. Even those with dark human eyes looked away, like dogs before they are driven from the fire."
Metaphor: "It was the serpent’s smile - no lips and all teeth."
Metaphor: "round pools to hold in the hand that gave a man back his face." (Mirror)
Metaphor: "darts that sprang from sticks with a sound like thunder that could kill a parrot many paces away." (hand cannon)
Personification: "our blood would cry out in the sand."
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Demonstrate your understanding of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification) by illustrating examples from the text.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of figurative language in the text.
- Put the type of figurative language (such as simile, metaphor or personification) in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using a combination of appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 examples of figurative language, correct types of figurative language matched with the text and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | There are two correct examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
How Tos about Figurative Language in Encounter by Jane Yolen
How to Teach Students to Write Their Own Figurative Language Inspired by Encounter
Encourage students to create original similes, metaphors, and personification based on Encounter’s themes. This helps deepen understanding and makes learning personal.
Model brainstorming ideas from the text
Demonstrate how to pull descriptive moments or feelings from Encounter. Show examples such as the Taíno boy’s fear or awe, then brainstorm sensory words together.
Guide students to use vivid comparisons
Prompt students to make similes and metaphors using 'like,' 'as,' or 'is' to compare story elements to nature, animals, or objects. Point out how strong comparisons make writing come alive.
Challenge students to personify objects or elements
Invite students to give human qualities to objects from the book (like the ocean or wind). This adds emotion and creativity to their writing.
Share and celebrate original figurative language
Encourage students to read their new figurative language aloud. Highlight creative examples and discuss how each one connects to Encounter’s story and mood.
Frequently Asked Questions about Figurative Language in Encounter by Jane Yolen
What are some examples of figurative language in Encounter by Jane Yolen?
Encounter by Jane Yolen uses simile, metaphor, and personification. Examples include: simile – “voices like thunder,” metaphor – “the skin was moon to my sun,” and personification – “shells with tongues that sang chunga-chunga.”
How can students identify figurative language in Encounter?
Students can look for phrases where something is compared using like or as (simile), direct statements that something is something else (metaphor), or non-human things given human traits (personification). Quoting and illustrating these lines helps deepen understanding.
Why is figurative language important in Encounter by Jane Yolen?
Figurative language in Encounter helps readers experience the story through the eyes of the Taíno people, making emotions and events more vivid and personal. It adds depth and helps students connect to historical perspectives.
What is a good classroom activity for teaching figurative language using Encounter?
A recommended activity is having students identify three examples of figurative language from the text, label the type (simile, metaphor, personification), and illustrate each one. This combines ELA skills with creative thinking.
What are the differences between simile, metaphor, and personification in Encounter?
Simile compares using ‘like’ or ‘as’ ("voices like thunder"); Metaphor says one thing is another ("skin was moon to my sun"); Personification gives objects human qualities ("shells with tongues that sang").
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
