CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN a là GRANDPA MIKE

CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN a là GRANDPA MIKE

If you have grandchildren and want to help their parents by occupying them for an hour every day, do what I just started today with my grandson William who is 11. We will “meet” daily from 10-11 a.m., and I will give him English instructions. Here’s a somewhat finished product for inspiration without a lot of e-mail exchanges. You could teach your grandchildren off-colour limericks, of which I’m sure their parents would be pleased. I think clichés might be a fun way to go also.

LESSON #1: SIMILE

A simile is a comparison of two things by linking them with “like” or “as” or “as if.”

Example: The sumo wrestler appeared incredibly chubby like a pregnant cow.

Now, let’s come up with similes for each of the 5 senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Share your sentences with me. Write two sentences for each sense, and paste them on this page.

GRANDPA MIKE’S EXAMPLES

Touch: Harry Potter felt a slithering snake wind its way up his leg like a rubber band that slowly tightened its grip.

Sight: The fortunate hockey player ducked just in time as the puck raced feverishly towards the net like a comet shooting through space.

Hearing: When Canada’s women’s soccer team defeated Brazil 2-1, the frenzied spectators screamed in delight like four year old children at a birthday party when served ice cream and brownies.

Smell: Our car passed the lifeless skunk on the road, which smelled as if a wayward garbage truck had magically dropped its load on top of our vehicle.

Taste: The restaurant was acclaimed for making tofu taste like chicken with special spices to make it feel hot as it passed down one’s throat.

YOUR TURN; I’m waiting. Write the best sentences that you can. You are allowed to be funny.

GM’s Feedback

Touch:

1. The coat was smooth and soft, like a wild chinchilla’s pelt. I like this one; I can feel it in my hands.

Sight:

1. The olympic (sp-use capital letter) sprinter shot (wonder if you can find a better verb; shot infers a gun, but the simile is lovely; I think an Olympic ski-jumper might be better than a sprinter. What do you think? through the air, as nimble and graceful as a Peregrine Falcon.

Sound:

1. The orchestra struck the last note, which echoed throughout the hall like a war horn. This is a nice simile, but if it’s a war horn, then “note” needs another adjective indicating loudness.

Smell

1. The room had a musty, old smell, like the scent of an abandoned sock drawer. Phew; I do not want to smell your socks! You are on the right track with this simile but what exactly is an abandoned sock drawer?

Taste:

1. The tooth brush was old and sour like,,,,? an long overdue carton of milk.

Don’t forget to add positive feedback!

Author's Note

During Covid while my grandson was at home, I thought he might use a diversion - and - a learning experience, which was fun for both of us,