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Work 2B: Learning Module Design

Project Overview

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Figurative Language Learning Module

Overview

Purpose:

This learning module is intended to be used with 3rd-5th graders. It is to be used in addition and support to in-class discussion and lessons covering figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meaning. Students are able to interact with one another throughout the updates, view and comment on each other's work, and create an end of unit figurative language project that will demonstrate an understanding of the targeted content. There is a quick survey that will ideally be used as a pre assessment to gauge student ability level before completing the module, and then also at the end as a post assessment to see what was learned. 

Learning Module Standards and Objectives:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.A

Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.B

Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.C

Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).

These standards are from the Common Core State Standards for fourth grade.

Prerequisite Skills:

  • I can use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • I can distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context.

Essential Vocabulary for this unit:

  • Figurative Language
  • Literal Language
  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Idiom
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole

Looking Ahead: In fifth grade, students will interpret figurative language (including similes and metaphors) in context, and use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.

What is Figurative Language and Why Do We Need It?

For the Student

Figurative language is what makes a great writer and reader. If you have a basic understanding of what figurative language is and how to use it, your literacy skills and comprehension will be elevated to a new level. Think of your favorite ice cream sundae. What makes it so great? You probably love the hot fudge sauce, extra sprinkles, perhaps some peanuts, warm caramel? Just like the toppings make the sundae fun and more delicious, figurative language makes a piece of writing more interesting to read and comprehend.

 

Poster on figurative language (figurative-language, 2018).

 

As the image above illustrates, figurative language makes writing more clear and interesting. Just as I used the sundae simile above (the sundae toppings to a sundae are like figurative language to a piece of writing), figurative language uses figures of speech to help create a clearer understanding of a concept or idea.

 

Watch the video below to help explain the difference between literal language and figurative language.

 

Media embedded September 28, 2019
Media embedded October 20, 2019

                                                              (Roller, 2014)

As the video above defined- literal language is when you mean exactly what you say. On the other hand, figurative language is when what you say is not what you actually mean. There are many different types of figurative language and in this module we will cover 5 of them:

  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Idiom
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole


 

Homework:

  1. Comment: Why do we need figurative language? What is the difference between figurative and literal language?
  2. Update: Give an example of figurative and literal language and explain why the figurative language helps the reader understand the idea or concept more clearly.
  3. Comment: Comment on 2 other classmates’ updates.



 

Media References:

figurative-language. (2018, March 31). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.virginiatitleibypass.com/2018/03/30/figurative-language-and-poetry-2017-2018/figurative-language/#iLightbox[postimages]/0.

Roller, S. (2014, September 29). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrcxEUw9WE.

 

For the Teacher

Purpose of this update:

This module is the foundation for the upcoming modules. With this lesson, students learn what the important vocabulary is, the difference between figurative and literal language and the concepts that will be covered in this module. This is crucial for them to grasp before learning the specific definitions of each and how and where to use them appropriately.

Poster on figurative language (figurative-language, 2018).

 

Teaching tips:

  • It could be a good introduction before students begin the module to watch this Flocabulary.com video: https://www.flocabulary.com/unit/figurative-language/
  • There are vocabulary cards, vocabulary game, and a quiz the students can take linked next to the video to help set their minds up for the included content.
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Simile

For the Student

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” A simile can be used to make writing more interesting, or to help with understanding by comparing a concept or idea to something that is similar to it. A way to remember what a simile does is its relation to the word- similar (it compares it to something that is similar).

A simile compares two unlike things using like or as (Schumacher, n.d.).

Similes are often used in song lyrics and advertisements. As you can see in the commercial below for Chevrolet trucks that used the song “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger to compare the trucks strength and durability saying it was “like a rock.”

Media embedded September 28, 2019

                                                         (Chevrolet Trucks, N.D.)

The commercial used Seger’s song to demonstrate the power of the truck. The original lyrics compared Seger himself to a rock,

“Like a rock, I was strong as I could be

Like a rock, nothin' ever got to me

Like a rock, I was something to see

Like a rock”

 

Similes are also often used in poetry. In doing so, it “attracts the attention and appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers encouraging their imagination to comprehend what is being communicated.” (Unknown, 2016)

A poem using only similes (Unknown, 2016).

The poem above is an appealing way to illustrate the description of the author to help further explain their thoughts and who they are. Each line contains a different simile by comparing each body part to something else using like or as.

Sometimes similes can be confused with metaphors. We will go further into what a metaphor is in the next lesson. Watch and listen to the book, “Skin like Milk, Hair of Silk,” by Brian P Cleary.

Media embedded September 28, 2019

                                                               (Gullickson, 2017)

Cleary defines and gives plenty of examples of ways to use similes to compare different things in a fun and interesting way!

 

Homework:

  1. Comment: What is a simile and why do we use them?
  2. Update: Create an update and write your own poem using similes. An example you could follow is to create an acrostic poem with your name like this one: 

                                                              (Time, 2012)

. ​3. Comment: Comment on at least 2 other updates from this week.

 

 

References:

Chevrolet Trucks "Like A Rock" Commercial. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IocCC1-jeTY

Gullickson, S. (2017, March 15). Skin like Milk, Hair of Silk. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obS0cANPTjU.

Schumacher, E. (n.d.). Simile Poster. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simile-Poster-2576391.

Time, I. A. (2012, January 1). SIMILE POETRY. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://itsabouttimeteachers.blogspot.com/2012/06/simile-poetry.html.

Unknown. (2016, May 30). explanation about simile. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://ridhosamsuar.blogspot.com/2016/05/explanation-about-simile.html.

 

For the Teacher

Purpose: The purpose of this update is to teach them what a simile is, where it can be found, and why we see and use them in different types of writing.

 

Teaching tips:

  • Remind students that similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare two unlike things. The word simile comes from the greek word “similis” which means like or similar.
  • Display anchor charts on the walls for reference when the students are learning. As they progress through the updates, you can add to the poster with clear definitions and examples of the different elements of figurative language. This will be a good reference and reminder for them to help define the differences between them.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a5/78/d6/a578d64f3ed5f95cf5f8b21623e75430.jpg
https://appletasticlearning.com/2015/02/03/figurative-language-go-figure/

 

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Metaphor

For the Student

Metaphors can be a little trickier to understand than similes. They both compare two things that are different, and while a simile compares two things using "like" or "as," a metaphor compares to things by saying one this is another.

Metaphors compare two things by saying one is the other (Metaphor and Simile, 2018).

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things and often needs to be thought about a little more and is less direct than a simile. The video below helps explain the differences and gives examples of both concepts.

Media embedded September 28, 2019

                                                              (Yourdictionary, 2017)

As the video states, to use metaphors in your writing, you have to think creatively. You can use interesting and unique comparisons to make your writing more appealing to your readers. Some metaphors can take some careful thought and analyzing in order to figure out. Below are some examples of metaphors and what they mean.

Techie Teacher defines different metaphors in this graphic (The Techie Teacher, n.d.).

It’s a fun challenge to think of interesting ways to compare different things. Metaphors are the spice in the recipe to writing!

Test your skills recognizing similes and metaphors with this fun game here

 

Homework:

  1. Comment: What are metaphors? How are they different than similes?
  2. Update: Make an update- find or create 3 different metaphors and explain their meanings.
  3. Comment: Comment on at least 2 other updates giving them a compliment for their work with reasoning behind it (say BECAUSE and give your reason).

 

 

References:

Metaphor and Simile - 2017-2018. (2018, March 30). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.virginiatitleibypass.com/2018/03/30/metaphor-and-simile-2017-2018/.

The Techie Teacher. (n.d.). Similes vs. Metaphors PowerPoint. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Similes-vs-Metaphors-PowerPoint-2159551.

YourDictionary. (2017, December 13). What Are Metaphors? Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPEmbt8Qoy0.

 

For the Teacher

Purpose: The purpose of this update is to teach students what a metaphor is, how to differentiate a metaphor from a simile, and gives them an authentic experience creating and learning from one another.

This lesson meets the Common Core State Learning Standard for fourth grade:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.A

Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

 

Teaching Tips:

  • Metaphors and similes can be tricky to decipher. Creating an anchor chart for students to reference could be beneficial.
  • https://classroom.synonym.com/fun-simile-metaphor-activities-7850042.html

     

 

 

Extensions/Extra Resources:

  • This TedEd video gives a good background and definition to metaphors that could be helpful to your students in understanding what metaphors are.
  • Here is an online sorting game that helps students recognize metaphors.
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Idiom

For the Student

An idiom is a figure of speech that cannot be taken literally, or exactly in the way the words are written. Idioms are fun to read, write, and figure out. Idioms are especially hard to understand if english isn’t your first language.

An idiom is a word or phrase that cannot be understood from the words regular meanings (Wither, 2017).

The image above restates the definition and gives a great example. You may have heard someone say, “you have spilled the beans!” This doesn’t mean that you have actually spilled beans out of a can or bowl all over the floor… it is a creative and fun way to say that you told a secret that someone was trying to keep.

Another common idiom is the one found in the image below:

A common phrase used often when someone is performing on stage (Brainbridge, n.d.).

If you weren’t knowledgeable of idioms and you heard someone tell someone else to break a leg, you would be very confused! It is important to understand that idioms are figures of speech and they don’t mean what the ordinary words do.

Watch this video  to help explain what an idiom is even further.  Feel free to take the quiz to test your idiom knowledge! 

Idioms can be fun and silly. They are often common phrases you hear everyday and might not even be aware that they are considered idioms until now! Below are some fun ways to illustrate idioms.

Idioms can be fun to say and to figure out (Plum, 2011)!

 

Homework:

  1. Comment: What is an idiom? Why could it be hard to understand if english is not your first language?
  2. Update: Make an update- draw or create an image of a common idiom and upload it. Explain its literal and figurative meaning.
  3. Comment: Comment on at least 2 other updates giving them a compliment for their work with reasoning behind it (say BECAUSE and give your reason).

 

 

References:

Brainbridge, C. (n.d.). Idiom Book - 24 Idioms with Critical Thinking Reading Passages. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Idiom-Book-24-Idioms-with-Critical-Thinking-Reading-Passages-1501409.

Plum, C. B. (2011, November 6). 5 Common and Simple English Idioms. Retrieved from https://hubpages.com/literature/5-Common-and-Simple-English-Idioms.

Wither, C. (2017, October 9). Difference Between. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-phrase-and-idiom/.

 

For the Teacher

Purpose: The purpose of this update is to teach students what an idiom is and how to recognize it.

This lesson meets part of the 4th grade Common Core Learning Standard and objective:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5.B

Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

 

Teaching Tips:

  • Be sure to provide plenty of mutli-faceted approaches when teaching idioms: visual, auditory, and kinisthetic.
  • Explaining common idioms students have probably heard will be the most beneficial.
  • Creating an anchor chart together for student reference will aid in comprehension.
http://www.iheartliteracy.com/2015/09/anchor-charts-idioms.html

Extensions/Extra Resources:

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Personification

For the Student

Personification is a figure of speech used to give nonhuman objects human-like characteristics. It is a fun tool to add to poems and stories. Personification makes writing more interesting and helps the reader understand the writer's message more clearly.

The stars are given a human-like action (Murphy, 2014).

The example above is giving a star (a nonhuman thing) the action of a human (winking). Stars cannot wink, only humans can do that.

Watch this music video by the Bazillions to understand personification even further.

Media embedded September 28, 2019

                                                         (TheBazillions, 2017)

The lyrics from the song say, “Personification, making something come alive from the words that you provide in situations! Personification, takes something that you’re saying and it acts just like a person!” (TheBazillions, 2017) One of the examples it gives is, “The flowers danced in the wind.” Flowers can’t really dance, but they way the wind makes them move can make it seem like a human swaying to music. This literary device gives the flowers a human like characteristic.

The image below gives some examples of personification.

Personification makes writing more fun and interesting (Gennaro, n.d.)!

Personification can be a fun way to describe something and to help the reader relate to a topic.

Play this game to test your personification skills!

 

Homework:

  1. Comment: Comment below and tell us what is personification? How is it different from a simile and metaphor?
  2. Update: Make an update and write personifications for 4 different objects that are near you right now. Examples: a desk, a pencil, a painting, an instrument.
  3. Comment: Comment on at least 2 other students updates giving them a compliment for their work with reasoning behind it (say BECAUSE and give your reason).

 

 

References:

Gennaro. (n.d.). Personification Powerpoint and Worksheet. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personification-Powerpoint-and-Worksheet-2443261.

Murphy, M. (2014, August 4). Personification. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://betterlesson.com/lesson/580704/personification.

TheBazillions. (2017, May 25). "Personification" by The Bazillions. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqBZMR83wCg.

For the Teacher

Purpose: The purpose of this update is to teach students what personification is and give them the opportunity to create their own. This lesson works toward meeting the fourth grade Common Core State Standard:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

 

Teaching Tips:

  • Give students opportunities to connect non-human objects with human-like characteristics. Help them realize human actions are different than other objects or animals.
  • Creating an anchor chart like the one below can be helpful for student reference.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/188658671876527049/?lp=true

 

 

Extensions/Extra Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2Gzk-8J-Y4

 

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Hyperbole

For the Student

A hyperbole is a figure of speech used to describe something in a very exaggerated way. You probably use them all the time and may not even be aware of it! Hyperboles make stories more interesting and can add excitement to anything it is being used to describe.

A hyperbole is an exaggeration made to make a point more clear (Hyperbole Meaning in Urdu, 2018).

The above is a common example of a hyperbole. “I am so hungry I could eat a horse!” Clearly, no one could ever eat a whole horse in one sitting (..and hopefully aren’t eating horses to begin with..). This is an exaggerate statement describing a very hungry person.

Watch the Flocabulary video below to understand hyperbole even more.

Media embedded September 28, 2019

                                                             (Flocabulary, 2017)

The song states, “Hyperbole, exaggerate for effect certainly! Build intensity and urgency!(Flocabulary, 2017) An example from the video says, “She has a smile that could light up the whole town.” (Flocabulary, 2017) This is an intense, exaggerated way of saying she has a really pretty, happy smile.

The below image has a list of hyperboles a mile long (<< did you catch that hyperbole??).

There are football fields worth of examples of hyperboles (6th Grade Poetry Vocabulary, 2012).

“She is taller than a skyscraper!” This is a clear exaggeration for amusement and to make the idea very clear that the girl was extremely tall. Like all figurative language, hyperbole makes reading and writing more fun and appealing to the reader.

Play this game Cannonball Cats to test your figurative language knowledge!

 

Homework:

  1. Comment: Comment below and tell us what is a hyperbole? Why would you want to use it when telling a story or trying to convey a message?
  2. Update: Make an update. Write a short story and include at least 3 different hyperboles.
  3. ​Comment: Comment on at least 2 other students updates giving them a compliment for their work with reasoning behind it (say BECAUSE and give your reason!).

 

 

References:

Flocabulary. (2017, July 12). What is Hyperbole? Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuzWLDWm6Zs.

Hyperbole meaning in Urdu. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2HDMij_Pj0

6th Grade Poetry Vocabulary. (2012, March 13). Retrieved from https://animoto.com/play/LlwVg07ZYHADQiQ766wTZA.

For the Teacher

Purpose: The purpose of this update is to teach students what a hyperbole is. It also works toward meeting the 4th grade learning objective and Common Core State Standard below.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

 

Teaching Tips:

  • Give students plenty of examples of hyperboles that they may have used or heard before. Explain to them how it makes writing and reading more fun and interesting.

He’s running faster than the wind.

This bag weighs a ton.

That man is as tall as a house.

This is the worst day of my life.

The shopping cost me a million dollars.

My dad will kill me when he comes home.

Your skin is softer than silk.

She’s as skinny as a toothpick.

She was so happy; her smile was a mile wide.

The footballer is the best player of all time.

  • Create and authentic learning experience by creating an anchor chart like the one below where students find examples of hyperboles within their books.
http://tarasimpson.blogspot.com/

Extensions/Extra Resources: This SmartExchange.com lesson is a good overview and review of all of different figures of speech.

https://exchange.smarttech.com/preview/8eb50c2e-751f-4785-ad94-d065ab2c3ae9

 

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Peer Review Project

For the Student

For the peer review project you will be choosing at least 4 out of the 5 concepts of figurative language presented throughout this module to define and give examples of. You can choose from:

  • Metaphor
  • Simile
  • Idiom
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole

You can choose any method of presenting which may be, but isn’t limited to: a video presentation, a brochure, a PowerPoint presentation, a music video, a theatrical performance (with written script), or any other creative method that has gotten pre approval from your teacher.

Be creative! The more original, creative, and authentic your examples the better!

You can use the rubric below for guidance.  Remember, this is what your teacher and peers will be using to assess your work:

 

For the Teacher

This peer reviewed project is the final assessment for this learning module. This will allow students to demonstrate their understanding by applying the knowledge they have gained. It will allow them to think creatively and have ownership of their work with the flexibility of the assignment. Students will also be able to access their creative work in the future and it will act as an example for future students. Ideally, this work should be assigned by the fourth update so that students have sufficient time to complete the task.

Here is the rubric to assess the work:

 

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Knowledge Survey: Show Me What You Know!

For the Student

For the Teacher

This knowledge survey is a formative assessment to provide the teacher with data needed to extend or reteach a lesson. This survey can be used as a pre-test, midpoint check, and/or an end of the lesson check.

 

 

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Distribute a Survey

References

Brainbridge, C. (n.d.). Idiom Book - 24 Idioms with Critical Thinking Reading Passages. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Idiom-Book-24-Idioms-with-Critical-Thinking-Reading-Passages-1501409.

Chevrolet Trucks "Like A Rock" Commercial. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IocCC1-jeTY

figurative-language. (2018, March 31). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.virginiatitleibypass.com/2018/03/30/figurative-language-and-poetry-2017-2018/figurative-language/#iLightbox[postimages]/0.

Flocabulary. (2017, July 12). What is Hyperbole? Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuzWLDWm6Zs.

Gennaro. (n.d.). Personification Powerpoint and Worksheet. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personification-Powerpoint-and-Worksheet-2443261.

Gullickson, S. (2017, March 15). Skin like Milk, Hair of Silk. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obS0cANPTjU.

Hyperbole meaning in Urdu. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2HDMij_Pj0

Metaphor and Simile - 2017-2018. (2018, March 30). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.virginiatitleibypass.com/2018/03/30/metaphor-and-simile-2017-2018/.

Murphy, M. (2014, August 4). Personification. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://betterlesson.com/lesson/580704/personification.

Plum, C. B. (2011, November 6). 5 Common and Simple English Idioms. Retrieved from https://hubpages.com/literature/5-Common-and-Simple-English-Idioms.

Roller, S. (2014, September 29). Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrcxEUw9WE.

Schumacher, E. (n.d.). Simile Poster. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simile-Poster-2576391.

TheBazillions. (2017, May 25). "Personification" by The Bazillions. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqBZMR83wCg.

The Techie Teacher. (n.d.). Similes vs. Metaphors PowerPoint. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Similes-vs-Metaphors-PowerPoint-2159551.

Time, I. A. (1970, January 1). SIMILE POETRY. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://itsabouttimeteachers.blogspot.com/2012/06/simile-poetry.html.

Unknown. (2016, May 30). explanation about simile. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://ridhosamsuar.blogspot.com/2016/05/explanation-about-simile.html.

Wither, C. (2017, October 9). Difference Between. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-phrase-and-idiom/.

YourDictionary. (2017, December 13). What Are Metaphors? Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPEmbt8Qoy0.

6th Grade Poetry Vocabulary. (2012, March 13). Retrieved from https://animoto.com/play/LlwVg07ZYHADQiQ766wTZA.