Figurative Language Teacher Resources

Find Figurative Language educational ideas and activities

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Explore figurative language with your secondary class. Extending a language arts unit, the lesson prompts middle schoolers to examine how an author's word choice establishes a story's tone, possibly using metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and personification. They can then develop their own plots using figurative language. 
Whether or not Zora Neale Hurston's classic novel is a part of your course, this packet deserves a place in your curriculum library. Designed as a close reading exercise, the series of activities begins with the instructor modeling, with a chunk of text, how to highlight imagery and figurative language, and how to use in-text citations to answer guiding questions. For guided practice, groups repeat the process with a second chunk of text. Individuals then tackle another passage for independent practice. Everything you need, text passages, worksheets, and answer keys are included in the richly detailed packet.
Six types of figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia) are the focus of a PowerPoint that defines and offers color-coded examples of these terms. Consider expanding the presentation by asking viewers to craft examples of each term.
Young scholars interpret figurative language.  In this language lesson, students are read the poem "I Love the Look of Words" by Maya Angelou and are to find examples of hyperbole and personification in the poem.  Young scholars then rotate among three small groups to complete activities that practice interpreting figurative language.
Identify and analyze the use of figurative language used in select pieces of writing. These pieces of literature will represent at least two pieces by one writer and at least two pieces by different writers. This lesson would be a great way to reinforce citing textual evidence to demonstrate understanding.
Sure to engage your class in poetry, this resource requires them to identify, label, and explain poetic devices and figurative language used in Katy Perry's hit song "Firework". A well-organized page that chunks the lyrics so learners are able to more easily identify examples of devices such as metaphors, hyperbole, and alliteration. An answer key is provided with possible answers. A great way to get your class motivated about poetry! Check it out!
What will your class members see in Sylvia Plath's "Mirror"? After reading the poem, learners engage in a Socratic seminar prompted by the provided questions. Individuals then create an illustration, focusing on the personification and figurative language in the poem, and share their interpretations with the class.
Meet with the school library specialist and work together to plan a visit and presentation on figurative language. After defining and examining examples of targeted terms, the class travels to the library where the SL has collected picture books that feature the targeted terms. The SL models finding an example of figurative language and learners use a graphic organizer to record examples they find with their partner.
Tenth graders analyze the use of figurative language and themes used in selected poems and prose. They read four different literature works and define various literary devices such as symbolism, metaphor, personification, and simile. Learners also identify examples of the figurative language and devices used in the works. Lastly, they discuss the theme of each work and the universality of the themes.
Students visit the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. They take digital pictures and make notes with information about the scenic life. Back in the classroom, they use the digital pictures to complete a figurative language writing assignment.
Play a figurative language game! Starting with a review of terms, this presentation quickly launches into a quiz game with hyper-linked answers. Simply click an answer to find out if it's wrong or right. The option to try again is always there. After the game, learners will have reviewed nine terms with eleven examples. Tip: Place your class into teams to encourage discussion about figurative language.
Pupils are introduced to the poetic works of Kechia Williams and the different elements of poetry. They explore figurative language and rhythm. Next, learners read poems from various poets and share with the class one of their favorite poems. A graphic organizer is included for practice organizing the elements of a poem.
Using the poems "First Snow" by Ted Kooser and "Eating Alone" by Yi-Young Lee (or other suggested poems by Robert Frost or Sara Teasdale), middle schoolers search for examples of figurative language. Guide your learners by discussing what poetry is. Explore tone, imagery, and metaphor in the poems selected. A detailed plan is available if you click view under "Instructional Procedures." 
Viewers are asked to identify the figurative language used in Stephen Vincent Benet’s poem, “The Ballad of William Sycamore,” and William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.” Preview to make sure the interactive elements of the presentation work with your equipment.
Ninth graders identify figurative language in poetry and analyze its effect on the meaning. They apply the meaning of poetry to real-life situations. Additionally, they write about a goal that wasn't achieved and relate that to Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem."
Students place emphasis on the use of figurative language when analyzing prose and poetry. In this figurative language lesson, students explore the tone of a story and its imagery. Students read and discuss how the author uses imagery in the story 'Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,' and in 'The Trolley.' Students create poems using imagery from the stories.
Eighth graders analyze and interpret figurative language. They listen to some examples of poetry which use figurative language. Then, they divide into groups and attempt to find more examples. Finally, 8th graders write what the poet is conveying in the poem.
Eighth graders identify figurative language and poetry in this literary analysis lesson. Using Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll and a YouTube video for "The Walrus and the Carpenter," young readers complete a literary device and element review worksheet. The lesson focuses on poetic devices, but you could work on concepts such as theme development as well.
Amy Tan uses vivid figurative language to deepen and enrich her writing. Use the fifth of ten lessons on The Joy Luck Club to demonstrate the impact of figurative language, particularly similes and metaphors, on plot and character. Young writers emulate Tan's language by writing a simile or metaphor for something from nature, an emotion, and the description of someone they know. After reading the next two chapters for homework, have your class discuss the image of a ghost as it relates to the story.
“Mom said I was a sheepdog…” After reading a brief definition of metaphor, readers are directed to underline all the examples of this type of figurative language found in a short passage about getting a haircut. An answer sheet is included.

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