English Lesson: Metaphors & Sentinel Animals
Lesson Plan
1 hourGrades6, 7, 8English Language Arts
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Written by Leigh Kohlmann
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn about metaphors through an analysis of the phrase "canary in the coal mine" and its connection to sentinel species. Students create original metaphors, connect environmental warning signs to human communities, and reflect on how this understanding can inspire climate action and promote environmental justice.
Inquire: Students explore the meaning of metaphors by using a flowchart to compare one thing to another and stating their shared qualities.
Investigate: Students investigate the historical origins of the “canary in the coal mine” metaphor and learn about sentinel species.
Inspire: Students investigate sentinel species, create metaphors to explain their role, connect them to vulnerable human communities, and reflect on how these warnings can inspire climate action.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be extended into two class periods or days, or taught during an ELA reading and writing block. Alternatively, this lesson can be assigned asynchronously or used as sub-plans for a review or extra practice on metaphors.
- English teachers can incorporate other literary devices into this lesson, encouraging students to write similes or examples of personification using sentinel species.
- The two short articles in the Investigate section can be read as a whole class, in pairs, or in small groups. Similarly, the guided discussion questions can be answered by the whole class, as think-pair-shares, or as individual written responses.
- Teachers can highlight local or regional sentinel species in the lesson.
- The metaphor analysis template in the Teacher Slideshow is also in the Student Document for teachers to assign or print out.
- Teachers can connect to a science element by including a discussion on mercaptan, a chemical additive to natural gas that helps indicate danger. Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, mercaptan is added as a safety measure to ensure that natural gas leaks do not go undetected. This could be considered a chemical sentinel.
- Students can watch the Coal Mine Museum Video, A Day in the Life of a Coal Miner, to learn more about the historical context of the canary in the coal mine metaphor.
Prerequisites
- Some students might be sensitive to the use of canaries to detect a poisonous gas. Be prepared to facilitate a discussion of animal rights.
- Teachers should have a basic understanding that sentinel species are organisms that signal changes in the environment, especially those that may be harmful to other species, including humans. Examples include but are not limited to frogs (water pollution), bees (pesticide and habitat health), polar bears (Arctic warming), and oysters (water quality).
- Teachers should understand how sentinel species connect to climate change, namely that changes in behavior, population, or health can reflect broader environmental shifts due to global warming, pollution, or ecosystem imbalance.
- Teachers can research and display photos of local sentinel species in their region (for example, tree swallows).
- At the end of the lesson, teachers are encouraged to connect the concept of sentinel species to human communities. While guidance is given in the lesson plan, teachers may want to prepare ahead of time.
Differentiation
- Depending on classroom needs, students can be assigned any number of sentinel species to read and create metaphors for in the Inspire section.
- Students can be challenged to write more than one metaphor for each sentinel species.
- Students who finish early can read about additional sentinel species from the article and create metaphors about them.
- Students can create artwork to accompany or illustrate their metaphor.
- Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might experience difficulties comprehending figurative language. As an alternative activity, have students watch the coal mine museum video, then discuss why miners brought canaries into the coal mine.
- Students can engage in further research about one sentinel species, create an extended metaphor, or write a sentinel species short story.
- Students can explore Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also known as Native Science or Indigenous Knowledge, to learn about practices of observing animal behavior and environmental patterns.
- This lesson can be scaled up to high school targets by using the article I WITNESS: Canaries in the coal mine (Part One) in the Investigate Section.
From the scientist review
Students gain knowledge about how to communicate climate change discussions and solutions via the use of metaphors. They also research common sentinel species in Wisconsin and their role as early warning systems to assist communities plan and execute actions to mitigate common environmental problems like water pollution, infectious diseases, etc. This lesson has credible sources and is suggested for teaching.
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About the teacher writer
Leigh Kohlmann
Leigh Kohlmann brings 30+ years of passion for teaching science to middle school students in Wisconsin. She thrives on their energy, renewed sense of curiosity and inclination towards seeking justice. Leigh promotes science as one of many ways of knowing by facilitating local, state, and national workshops. When not in the classroom, Leigh enjoys actively serving her community.
