Figurative Language Fun (Part 2)

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

5

Overview

Students will listen to and locate unknown phrases of similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles in context using holiday songs and stories. They will explain the meanings of common idioms used in holiday songs and stories. They will also use figurative language (similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles) correctly to describe digital holiday images. 

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.11

Acquire and use grade-level vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

UP:ELA21.5.11

Vocabulary

  • Acquire
  • Use
  • Grade-level vocabulary
  • Clarifying
  • Multiple-meaning words and phrases
  • Range of strategies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Techniques to learn and use new grade-level vocabulary words.
  • Strategies to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Learn and use grade-level vocabulary words.
  • Clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text using a variety of strategies.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • New vocabulary can be learned from text, and they should use grade-level vocabulary in writing and speaking.
  • There are many strategies to learn the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, such as using context clues, consulting reference materials, or using knowledge of the word's morphological structure.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.12

Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

UP:ELA21.5.12

Vocabulary

  • Domain-specific vocabulary
  • Academic vocabulary
  • Figurative language

Knowledge

Student know:
  • Academic vocabulary is language that is more formal than spoken language.
  • Domain-specific vocabulary refers to words that are used specifically in school subject areas, like math, science, and social studies.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.
  • Strategies to determine the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns in text.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Interpret the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary, academic vocabulary, and figurative language as they are used in texts.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies they can use to interpret the meaning of academic and domain-specific vocabulary, including using context clues in the text, their background knowledge, the morphological structure of the word, and outside resources.
  • Words and phrases, including figurative language, can have different meanings in different texts.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.13

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.

UP:ELA21.5.13

Vocabulary

  • Determine
  • Clarify
  • Multiple-meaning words and phrases

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies to determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in spoken language.
  • Active listening skills.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases in spoken language.
  • Clarify the meaning of multiple-meaning words and phrases in spoken language.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • When listening to to others speak, they may hear word they don't know or a word that has multiple meanings depending on the context.
  • They must use active listening skills to determine an unknown's word's meaning or to clarify the meaning of a multiple-meaning word.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to locate similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles in context. 

Students will be able to explain the meanings of common idioms. 

Students will be able to use the meaning of unknown phrases in the text. 

Students will listen to songs and stories to determine the meaning of unknown phrases.

Activity Details

1. Using the attached Figurative Language Fun slides, the teacher and students will go over slides 2 and 3 together, discussing each figurative language and example. 

2. Teacher will ask students to think of other examples they have heard or read before and share them and their meaning with the class. 

3. Teacher will go over the example on slide 4 with the class to model the expectation of the upcoming assignment. Be sure to stress the importance of using complete sentences, capital letters, and the correct use of figurative language.

4. Look over slide 5 together. Discuss what the students need to be listening for during the video. Watch the holiday video on slide 5 together. The teacher needs to present the video to the class. 

5. After watching the video, complete slide 5 together. 

6. Students may work with a partner or alone to complete slides 6-8. 

7. Teacher will walk around to ensure that students are working, understanding the directions, and correctly using/locating/explaining the figurative language.

Assessment Strategies

While students are working, the teacher will walk around to check for student understanding. 

The teacher will check for the following items: 

  • Identification of similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles.
  • The correct explanation of the meanings of similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles.
  • Correct usage of similes, metaphors, idioms, and hyperboles.

Background / Preparation

1. Read over the attached Figurative Language Fun slides to be sure the material is suitable for your students. (Includes material associated with Christmas, so some simple changes may need to be made).

2. Check to be sure all video/song links are working on the slides.

3. Print rubric if wanting to grade a printed version instead of digitally. 

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