Exploring figurative language with the book Rodeo Red

I am taken with Rodeo Red, written by Maripat Perkins and illustrated by Molly Idle (Read my Rodeo Red: ReedALOUD Review.) I decided to try a one-off lesson with the book to see how the students would react to the lesson.  It was a success and I am eager to develop it into a two part lesson for the younger grades.

For the first fifth grade class, the students got a list of figurative language and choose one (or two) to illustrate.  

After this, we went through the list and parsed out the meanings. We then read the story. The students were incredibly engaged and connected to it. After reading the book, we talked through some of the language and had fun seeing Molly Idle's illustrations.

The second class of fifth graders went through the list and parsed out the meanings right away. We then read the book. After reading the book, they wrote (and in some cases, illustrated) their own figurative language adding a contemporary spin. 

As handsome as One Direction

As skinny as a cheese stick