4th grade reading Worksheets, word lists and activities ... - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve each part of the worksheet.

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1. How many metaphors for the Sun can you find in this poem? Make a list of them below.

We read the poem carefully and look for lines that say “the Sun is...” or describe the Sun as something else (not literally, but figuratively).

From the poem:

- “the Sun is an orange doughy” → metaphor 1
- “it is a gold coin” → metaphor 2
- “it is a yellow beach ball” → metaphor 3
- “the Sun is a red flashlight” → metaphor 4
- “the Sun is a soft light’s gold top floating on a puddle” → metaphor 5

Wait — let’s check again. The line “a silver light’s gold top floating on a puddle” — actually, looking at the poem text:
> “the Sun is a soft light’s gold top / floating on a puddle.”

That’s one metaphor: “soft light’s gold top” — but it’s describing the Sun as that thing. So yes, still counts.

Also, note: “like a fried egg cracked in Heaven” — that’s a simile (uses “like”), not a metaphor. Metaphors don’t use “like” or “as”.

So metaphors are only the ones that directly say “is” without “like” or “as”.

List:

1. an orange doughy
2. a gold coin
3. a yellow beach ball
4. a red flashlight
5. a soft light’s gold top floating on a puddle

→ That’s 5 metaphors.

But wait — let’s double-check the poem text from the image description:

Poem says:

> What Is the Sun?
> the Sun is an orange doughy
> like a fried egg cracked in Heaven
> it is a gold coin
> it is a yellow beach ball
> kicked high into the summer sky
> it is a red flashlight
> we shine it onto pink paper
> the Sun is a soft light’s gold top
> floating on a puddle.

Note: “like a fried egg...” is a simile → NOT a metaphor.

The rest all start with “is” → so they are metaphors.

So:

1. an orange doughy
2. a gold coin
3. a yellow beach ball
4. a red flashlight
5. a soft light’s gold top floating on a puddle

Yes — 5 metaphors.

BUT — the example given in the worksheet already filled in: “an orange doughy” — so we’re to list others too? No — the instruction says: “Make a list of them below.” and gives space. The example is just showing how to write one.

So we list all 5.

However — sometimes teachers might count “soft light’s gold top floating on a puddle” as one metaphor even though it’s long. Yes, it’s one idea.

✔ Final count: 5 metaphors

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2. Rewrite one of the sun metaphors, and change the metaphor to a simile. To do this, you only need to add one word.

A simile uses “like” or “as”.

Take any metaphor and add “like” or “as”.

Example: Original metaphor: “it is a gold coin”

Change to simile: “it is like a gold coin” → added “like”

Or: “the Sun is a yellow beach ball” → “the Sun is like a yellow beach ball”

Either works.

Let’s pick: “it is a red flashlight” → becomes “it is like a red flashlight”

Added word: “like”

✔ Answer: “it is like a red flashlight” (or similar)

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3. Pick a name from the poem, and write a short paragraph explaining what you mean by the description of the Sun.

Pick one metaphor and explain why it fits the Sun.

Example: Choose “a yellow beach ball”

Explanation: The Sun is round and bright yellow, just like a beach ball. When you kick a beach ball high into the air, it looks small and far away — kind of like how the Sun looks in the sky during summer. Also, beach balls are fun and warm, and the Sun feels warm too.

Another option: “a gold coin”

Explanation: A gold coin is shiny, round, and valuable. The Sun shines brightly in the sky and gives us light and warmth — things we value every day. It also looks like a glowing circle, just like a coin.

Let’s go with “a yellow beach ball” since it’s visual and easy to explain.

✔ Paragraph:
I chose “a yellow beach ball” because the Sun is round and bright yellow, just like a beach ball. When you throw a beach ball up in the air, it looks small against the big sky — same as how the Sun looks when it’s high above us in summer. Plus, both make people think of fun, sunny days!

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4. Which of the metaphors in the poem were most effective to you? Why?

This is opinion-based, but we should give a reason.

Example: I think “a red flashlight” is most effective because flashlights shine light in the dark, and the Sun shines light during the day. Even though flashlights are usually white or yellow, calling it “red” makes it feel special — maybe like sunset or sunrise when the Sun looks reddish. It helps me imagine the Sun lighting up everything around it, just like a flashlight does in a dark room.

Or: “an orange doughy” — because dough is soft and squishy, and the Sun doesn’t really look hard — it looks warm and gentle, like fresh bread or pastry. And “orange” matches the color of the Sun at dawn or dusk.

Let’s pick “an orange doughy” — it’s unusual and creative.

✔ Answer:
I think “an orange doughy” is the most effective metaphor because it makes the Sun sound soft, warm, and comforting — like freshly baked bread. Most people think of the Sun as hot and bright, but comparing it to doughy makes it feel cozy and inviting. The word “orange” also matches the color of the Sun during sunrise or sunset, which adds to the feeling.

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Now, compiling final answers clearly.

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Final Answer:

1. List of metaphors for the Sun:
- an orange doughy
- a gold coin
- a yellow beach ball
- a red flashlight
- a soft light’s gold top floating on a puddle

2. Rewritten metaphor as simile (added one word):
Example: “it is like a red flashlight” (added “like”)

3. Short paragraph explaining one metaphor:
I chose “a yellow beach ball” because the Sun is round and bright yellow, just like a beach ball. When you throw a beach ball up in the air, it looks small against the big sky — same as how the Sun looks when it’s high above us in summer. Plus, both make people think of fun, sunny days!

4. Most effective metaphor and why:
I think “an orange doughy” is the most effective metaphor because it makes the Sun sound soft, warm, and comforting — like freshly baked bread. Most people think of the Sun as hot and bright, but comparing it to doughy makes it feel cozy and inviting. The word “orange” also matches the color of the Sun during sunrise or sunset, which adds to the feeling.