Describing Monsters: Teaching Metaphors and Similes with AI
How to use generative AI to support descriptive writing using metaphors and similes.
(See example lesson plan at the bottom of this article)
(See example lesson plan at the bottom of this article)
What is generative AI?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create original content, such as images, music, and text.
While some types of AI analyse data to predict future outcomes (as seen in predictive text), generative AI goes a step further. It uses patterns it has learned from data to generate entirely new examples.
What is text-to-image AI?
Text-to-image AI allows you to create any image simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see.
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create original content, such as images, music, and text.
While some types of AI analyse data to predict future outcomes (as seen in predictive text), generative AI goes a step further. It uses patterns it has learned from data to generate entirely new examples.
What is text-to-image AI?
Text-to-image AI allows you to create any image simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see.
AI monster (Created using Microsoft Copilot)
|
Prompt:
Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest. |
How can I use this in a lesson?
So, this got me thinking about how I could use this in a lesson! I then thought, wouldn't it be cool if we could bring our students' descriptive writing (for example, a description of a monster or dragon) to life with generative AI?
Scroll down for sample lesson plan.
So, this got me thinking about how I could use this in a lesson! I then thought, wouldn't it be cool if we could bring our students' descriptive writing (for example, a description of a monster or dragon) to life with generative AI?
Scroll down for sample lesson plan.
How it works
What is text-to-image AI?
Text-to-image AI allows you to create any image simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see.
What tools can I use?
For the remainder of this tutorial, I will focus on the free tools but everything I demonstrate can easily be done with Midjourney.
Mastering the Prompt
I'm not going to lie to you, it's not quite as easy as it seems! There is an art to mastering the prompt, which I will share with you. In fact, when I first tried this, I literally copied the description of the Gruffalo straight from the book and the images it produced would give some children nightmares!
Text-to-image AI is different from searching for an image in Google or Bing. It works best when you're highly descriptive. You need to be creative and add details such as: adjectives, locations, even artistic styles such as "digital art" and "photorealistic.“
It also helps to use keywords such as 'cute' and 'fluffy'. You can also select different styles such as 'children's book illustration style' or 'Pixar 3D animation style' etc. You can also provide settings/locations for your image, for example a mystical forest.
What is text-to-image AI?
Text-to-image AI allows you to create any image simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see.
What tools can I use?
- Microsoft Copilot | (FREE - requires a Microsoft account)
- Adobe Firefly | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Adobe account)
- Leonardo AI | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Leonardo account)
- Midjourney | (Paid for - requires a Discord account)
For the remainder of this tutorial, I will focus on the free tools but everything I demonstrate can easily be done with Midjourney.
Mastering the Prompt
I'm not going to lie to you, it's not quite as easy as it seems! There is an art to mastering the prompt, which I will share with you. In fact, when I first tried this, I literally copied the description of the Gruffalo straight from the book and the images it produced would give some children nightmares!
Text-to-image AI is different from searching for an image in Google or Bing. It works best when you're highly descriptive. You need to be creative and add details such as: adjectives, locations, even artistic styles such as "digital art" and "photorealistic.“
It also helps to use keywords such as 'cute' and 'fluffy'. You can also select different styles such as 'children's book illustration style' or 'Pixar 3D animation style' etc. You can also provide settings/locations for your image, for example a mystical forest.
Simple example:
Create an image of a cute fluffy monster running through a mystical forest.
Will produce something like this:
More complex prompt:
Create a hyper realistic image of a cute fluffy monster. The monster has brown fur, orange eyes, a red tongue, sharp teeth, and horns. Standing on two legs in a magical forest.
Will create something like this:
Free Tools
1. Adobe Firefly (Beta)
Adobe Firefly | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Adobe account)
One of my favourite tools for this type of activity is Adobe Firefly. The reason I prefer this tool is because you have lots of control over the final image. Firstly, if you don't like the results, you can simply click on 'Generate' agan. You can also try different styles, for example photo or digital art, and can even change the lighting and tone.
Adobe Firefly | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Adobe account)
One of my favourite tools for this type of activity is Adobe Firefly. The reason I prefer this tool is because you have lots of control over the final image. Firstly, if you don't like the results, you can simply click on 'Generate' agan. You can also try different styles, for example photo or digital art, and can even change the lighting and tone.
Adobe Firefly text-to-image interface.
A cute fluffy brown monster (created using Adobe Firefly)
Prompt: Cute brown furry monster with sharp teeth, yellow eyes and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest. Photorealistic
Prompt: Cute brown furry monster with sharp teeth, yellow eyes and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest. Photorealistic
2. Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot | (FREE - requires a Microsoft account)
Microsoft Copilot | (FREE - requires a Microsoft account)
Microsoft Copilot text-to-image interface.
Cute furry monster (Created with Microsoft Copilot)
Prompt: Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.
Prompt: Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.
3. Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Leonardo account)
Last, but not least, is Leonardo AI. Leonardo is one of my 'go to tools', but does take some getting used to. I personally like Leonardo because you have more control over the output, such as being able to choose from a huge selection of pre-trained models (my favourites being 3D Animation Style, Little Monsters and DreamShaper v7). One downside to having all this control is the compromise on intuitiveness. For this reason, I would recommend Bing or Adobe (Also, the free version of Leonardo limits you to 150 credits a day - each prompt uses between 2 and 32 credits, depending on what features you choose). But, once you've mastered the controls, the results can be phenomenal.
Leonardo AI | (FREE - requires you to sign up for a free Leonardo account)
Last, but not least, is Leonardo AI. Leonardo is one of my 'go to tools', but does take some getting used to. I personally like Leonardo because you have more control over the output, such as being able to choose from a huge selection of pre-trained models (my favourites being 3D Animation Style, Little Monsters and DreamShaper v7). One downside to having all this control is the compromise on intuitiveness. For this reason, I would recommend Bing or Adobe (Also, the free version of Leonardo limits you to 150 credits a day - each prompt uses between 2 and 32 credits, depending on what features you choose). But, once you've mastered the controls, the results can be phenomenal.
Leonardo AI text-to-image interface.
Cute furry monster (Created with Leonardo AI)
Prompt: Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.
Prompt: Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.
A note on Midjourney
For those in the know, you might be asking "So, why have you not mentioned Midjourney?". Midjourney is by far my favourite text-to-image tool and by far outshines the other text-to-image tools with regards to image quality. The reason I have left it out of this tutorial is simply due to it's cost (at time of writing, Midjourney no longer offers a free trial) and the fact that you have to have a Discord account (which isn't the most intuitive / user-friendly tool) in order to use it. However, if you already have a Midjourney account, or if you are curious as to what it can do, here is an example:
For those in the know, you might be asking "So, why have you not mentioned Midjourney?". Midjourney is by far my favourite text-to-image tool and by far outshines the other text-to-image tools with regards to image quality. The reason I have left it out of this tutorial is simply due to it's cost (at time of writing, Midjourney no longer offers a free trial) and the fact that you have to have a Discord account (which isn't the most intuitive / user-friendly tool) in order to use it. However, if you already have a Midjourney account, or if you are curious as to what it can do, here is an example:
A cute furry monster, Monsters Inc. style (Created using Midjourney)
Example lesson plan
Disclaimer: This lesson was generated using AI!
Prompt used for this lesson plan:
Disclaimer: This lesson was generated using AI!
Prompt used for this lesson plan:
Design a detailed lesson plan for a year 6 literacy activity focusing on alliteration using text from the Gruffalo, aligned with the National curriculum in England: primary curriculum (upper key stage 2). Please structure the lesson into distinct segments: a 10-minute warm-up activity to introduce the topic, a 10-minute engaging lecture with interactive elements, a 30-minute hands-on activity to reinforce learning, and a 10-minute formative assessment to gauge student understanding. Include in your plan: specific learning objectives, materials needed for each segment, strategies for student engagement, and clear assessment criteria based on the learning objectives. Ensure the lesson is designed to be completed within a standard class period of 60 minutes.
Follow up prompt. Remember, ChatGPT/Microsoft Copilot are conversational AI chatbots, use follow up questions to improve your results. For example:
- What are the key learning objectives for this lesson, framed as questions?
- Provide bullet points detailing what students will know by the end of the lesson.
- List the essential vocabulary terms that should be introduced and used during the lesson.
Lesson Plan: Describing Monsters with Metaphors and SimilesLearning Objectives
Materials Needed
Lesson Structure1. Starter (10 minutes)Objective:Introduce the topic and activate prior knowledge.
Activity:
2. Introduction (10 minutes)Objective:Teach students to understand and identify metaphors and similes.
Activity:
Engagement Strategy:Use interactive voting to keep students engaged and ensure they understand the differences between metaphors and similes.
3. Hands-On Activity (30 minutes)Objective:Reinforce learning through creative application.
Activity:
4. Formative Assessment (10 minutes)Objective:Gauge student understanding and mastery of using vivid imagery in dystopian descriptions.
Activity:
Note: Alternatively, provide students with the list of suggested questions (above) and have them peer-assess each other’s descriptions.
Assessment Criteria
Bonus ActivityPick your favourite descriptions (or ask for volunteers to share their monster descriptions) and bring them to life using text-to-image AI (for example, using Microsoft Copilot).
Example prompt:
“Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.”
DifferentiationSuggested activities to differentiate this lesson:
Scaffolding Activities:
Visual aids:
Group Work:
Option choices:
ConclusionTo conclude the lesson, summarise the key points covered, emphasising the importance of using similes, and metaphors to enhance writing. Encourage students to apply these techniques in their future writing assignments to create more engaging and imaginative descriptions.
- Understand and identify metaphors and similes.
- Identify metaphors and similes in text.
- Use metaphors and similes to describe monsters creatively.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printed handouts with examples of metaphors and similes
- “Monster Description” worksheets
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Projector and screen (optional)
- Sticky notes
Lesson Structure1. Starter (10 minutes)Objective:Introduce the topic and activate prior knowledge.
Activity:
- Monster Brainstorm: Ask students to think about different monsters they know from books, movies, or their imagination. Write down their ideas on the whiteboard.
- Discussion: Briefly discuss what makes these monsters scary or interesting. Highlight any descriptive language they use.
2. Introduction (10 minutes)Objective:Teach students to understand and identify metaphors and similes.
Activity:
- Introduction to Metaphors and Similes: Explain the definitions of metaphors and similes with simple examples (e.g., “The monster’s eyes were as bright as the moon” for similes, and “The monster was a shadow in the night” for metaphors).
- Interactive Examples: Show sentences on the projector and ask students to identify whether they are metaphors or similes. Use sticky notes for students to vote.
Engagement Strategy:Use interactive voting to keep students engaged and ensure they understand the differences between metaphors and similes.
3. Hands-On Activity (30 minutes)Objective:Reinforce learning through creative application.
Activity:
- Monster Description Worksheet: Hand out worksheets with a picture of a monster. Ask students to write a short description of the monster using at least three metaphors and three similes.
- Think Pair Share: Have students pair up and share their descriptions with a partner. Encourage them to give each other feedback.
4. Formative Assessment (10 minutes)Objective:Gauge student understanding and mastery of using vivid imagery in dystopian descriptions.
Activity:
- Ask students to volunteer to read their descriptive paragraphs aloud to the class.
- After each reading, facilitate a brief discussion on the effectiveness of the imagery used, asking the class to identify specific examples and discuss what made them vivid and impactful.
Example questions to ask the students:- What specific details made the description stand out?
- How did the use of metaphors and similes help you visualise the monster?
- Which sentences or phrases were particularly effective in helping you to visualise the monster?
- How could the author improve the use of metaphors and similes in their description?
- Provide positive feedback and constructive criticism to reinforce learning objectives.
Note: Alternatively, provide students with the list of suggested questions (above) and have them peer-assess each other’s descriptions.
Assessment Criteria
- Identification: Students accurately identify metaphors and similes in the quiz.
- Usage: Students use metaphors and similes correctly in their monster descriptions.
- Creativity: Students show creativity in their descriptions, making their monsters clear and engaging.
Bonus ActivityPick your favourite descriptions (or ask for volunteers to share their monster descriptions) and bring them to life using text-to-image AI (for example, using Microsoft Copilot).
Example prompt:
“Create a hyper realistic image of a cute furry monster with sharp teeth, sharp claws, bright yellow glowing eyes, black fur and horns. The monster is standing on two legs in a magical forest.”
DifferentiationSuggested activities to differentiate this lesson:
Scaffolding Activities:
- Worksheet: Fill-in-the gaps worksheet (Worksheet: Describing Monsters with Similes and Metaphors.docx)
- Modelling: Show examples from popular texts (for example, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson) and break down how the authors use metaphors and similes.
Visual aids:
- Imagery Boards: Use images of monsters from movies, graphic novels, or art to help students visualise and describe their own monsters. Display these images on a projector or create a physical or digital collage.
Group Work:
- Collaborative Writing: Have students work in small groups to create a collective description of a monster. Each student can contribute a different metaphor or simile.
Option choices:
- Choice of Medium: Allow students to choose how they want to present their descriptions. They could write a paragraph, create a storyboard, or even record a podcast.
ConclusionTo conclude the lesson, summarise the key points covered, emphasising the importance of using similes, and metaphors to enhance writing. Encourage students to apply these techniques in their future writing assignments to create more engaging and imaginative descriptions.
Lesson Resources
| lesson_plan_describing_monsters_with_metaphors_and_similes.docx |
| describing_monsters_with_similes_and_metaphors.docx |
| monster_description_worksheet.docx |
| descriptive_writing_word_bank.docx |
| key_vocabulary.docx |