Fun With Idioms

Before Strategy

Introduce the concept of literal and nonliteral language by teaching idioms.

1. Idioms are expressions that don't mean exactly what they say. If I said, "Hold your horses!" What does this mean? What about, "It's raining cats and dogs." Are there really cats and dogs falling from the sky? No, but you know that it's raining really hard and it's a very loud rain. These are both idioms. When using idioms we are using nonliteral language.
2. Literal language is when I say exactly what I mean. "Hurry up! We're late for school!" What do I want you to do? Hurry because we are late for school!
3. Students will be prompted to go to www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/idioms/index.html. Complete the first page together. Show students how to complete the sentence by using the drop box.  "School would be ______ without tests and homework." Let's look at the dropbox to find what may fit here. If students struggle with this, point out the illustration. Is there anything in the picture that can help us figure this out? It's a bed with roses, let's look for that! What is the metaphorical meaning of this idiom?  What does this mean? What would happen to school if we didn't have tests or homework? It would be easy! So a bed of roses means- something could be easy.  Now let's use this idiom in a sentence. Model how to make a complete sentence using ideas from the class.

During Strategy

1. Put students in 6 groups of 3-4 and assign a number. Each group will complete a page. "There are 7 pages, and we've done the first together. You are going to complete a page with your group and then share it with the class.

After Strategy

1. The next day students will review idioms and be assigned their presentation.
2. "Now it's your turn. You are going to pick an idiom and research what it means.  You also get to make a presentation and present your idiom to the class."
3. The teacher will discuss the expectations of the project.
4. Show the  "On the Fence..." presentation.
5. Now, let students draw a number out of a cup to pick which idiom they will research. 
6. Students will use technology to research the meaning of their idiom. The teacher should monitor students regularly to provide guidance and make sure that everyone is using the internet appropriately.
7. Students will fill out their "Idiom Information Sheet" as they find answers online.
8. Students will create a media presentation about their idiom. They will use their Information Sheet as a guideline.
9. Students will turn in their Idiom Information Sheet when doing their classroom presentation. The rubric is on page 2.
10. Students should be able to explain their idiom as well as answer questions from the class.