CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. ( Common Core State Standards from http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards)
CC.1.3.5.F
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in grade level text, including interpretation of
figurative language. (PA Common Core Standards from http://www.pdesas.org/Standard/PACore)
E05.A-V.4.1.2: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, personification) in context. b. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. (Grade 5 Scope and Sequence from the School District of Philadelphia Planning and Scheduling Timeline)
In reality, interpreting figurative language makes up 40% of the eligible content for fifth grade vocabulary. As a result, we work on identifying literary devices and interpreting figurative language all year long in Room 202. At the beginning of the year, we defined the terms, put the definitions and examples in a flip book, and interpreted examples from our independent reading on Kidblog.org, but it's been a few weeks since we focused directly on figurative language in our lessons.
I decided to revisit figurative language two weeks ago. First, we watched a great YouTube video clip from The Amanda Show called Meet the Literals (http://youtu.be/2jqscMDsJq4). The video reinforces the difference between the literal and figurative meaning of words and phrases using a highly entertaining series of mistakes a young girl and her family make because they take everything literally. The Amelia Bedelia-like escapades of the Literal family stem mostly from their misinterpretation of idiomatic expressions, but I used the clip to remind the kids that not everything an author says can be taken literally. THE KIDS LOVED IT!
For a more in depth review of each individual literary device, I used a PowerPoint presentation I've been working on for quite some time. The PowerPoint is available in my TpT Store for just $3.00. I love it because, the students are given an opportunity to read a short passage from a famous children's novel and discuss its meaning before having to identify what type of figurative language is being used to convey the author's message. There are also opportunities in the PowerPoint for the children to practice writing original examples for each type of literary device. The PowerPoint ends with slides of the lyrics from some pop songs the children are familiar with. They are asked to find the figurative language on each lyrics slide and explain what the songwriter was actually trying to say. If you need to revisit figurative language, I highly recommend a lesson centered around this PowerPoint.
Right before Thanksgiving, we followed the Figurative Language PowerPoint up with a gratitude writing project with a twist. Instead of simply having the children make a list of the things they are thankful for, I asked them to describe five things they are grateful for using similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and idioms. We put the gratitude statements on the feathers of a turkey to tie in the holiday theme. The children loved coloring the turkeys, and I loved the statements they came up with. Here are some examples:
Makayla: I am thankful for my phone, because without it I would die. (hyberbole)
Molly: I am thankful for my home, because it holds its arms out to welcome me when I come home. (personification)
Enrique: I am thankful for outdoor recess, and I want to have it for a hundred years. (hyperbole)
Arianna: I am thankful for my friends, because they are like clowns in a circus who cheer me up when I am feeling down. (simile)
Gabby: I am thankful for the books I read, because they take me on adventures. (personification)
Briana: I am thankful for my family, because when I am sad like a lost puppy, they are there for me. (simile)
Delrick: I am thankful for my phone, and if it had arms I would hug it all the time. (personification)
Ashley: I am thankful for books, because they wrap their arms around me and tell me their adventurous stories. (personification)
Ehsan: I am thankful for my family, because it is a nest filled with warmth and love.
Trevor: I am thankful for my weekends, because it feels to me that I can fly when I have free time. (hyperbole)
Kylie: I am thankful for my family, because they are the tree whose branches will always be there to catch me when I am under pressure. (metaphor)
Jake: I am thankful for the woods, because they are my playground. (metaphor)
Gia: I am thankful for my friendships, because my friends are a mailbox that is always open if I need to drop off my problems. (metaphor)
Kayla V: I am thankful for school and education, because without it I would not know a thing. (hyperbole)
Taylan: I am thankful that my mom is not a giant ogre. (metaphor)
Kevin: I am thankful for my dad, because he makes the piano sing. (personification)
Kayla K: I am thankful for my teacher, because my brain would be mushed up like melted ice cream without her. (metaphor)
Allie: I am thankful for my best friend Emily who is a human calculator. (metaphor)
Eli: I am thankful for my house, because I do not have to live under a rock. (metaphor)
Patrick: I am thankful for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and the military, because they protect us like a watchdog. (simile)
Mark: I am thankful for my pets, because they are funny little clowns that make me laugh. (metaphor)
Nick D: I am thankful for food, because without it there would be no reason for my tastebuds to dance. (personification)
Nick P: I am thankful for my brothers. Without them there would be a hole in my life. (metaphor)
The Thanksgiving project was such a huge success that I immediately started thinking of how it could be adapted for Christmas. What I came up with was a "Christmas List" project. Students make a list of what they want for Christmas, and each item on the list must be described with a simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or idiom. (A more altruistic version of the project could be done by asking students to write about five gifts they'd like to give to other people.) These three links are my early Christmas present to you. They take you to a rubric, a Christmas list template, and a Christmas Presents coloring sheet.
Don't forget to use the Figurative Language PowerPoint from my TpT Store as a review before you start the project.
Merry Everything and Happy Always,
Stacy
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