Lesson Plan Template

Name:

Madison Seymour

Unit:

Figurative Language

Course:

EDCI 453

Grade:

8th

Big Idea (Key concept): Figurative language can make writing more interesting and complex
Literacy Strategy(s): Understanding the workings of English
Lesson:

Figurative Language

Date Taught:

NA

Learning Objective(s):
Students will be able to

Define figurative language and provide examples

Students will be able to

Write their own examples of 6 figures of speech

Idaho Phonics Standards (or National Standards if no Idaho Standards exist):

CCRA.L.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and
nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word
meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
b. Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions)
(e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute)

Lesson in Context:
The lessons prior to this one will work to develop students understanding of language and how
good writers are firmly in control of what is being said and how it is being said. Lessons prior to
this will also define the word genre and encourage students to understand the
parameters/confines of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This will involve reading poems, short
stories, and academic essays. After this lesson is taught, students will be encouraged to write
their own poetry utilizing figurative language and analyze other authors use of figurative
language is poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
Instructional Materials, Resources:
What does this mean? Why? Handout (Attached at end)

Figurative Language Handout (Attached at end)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPjAiUbdl14

Procedures:
This is a one-day introduction lesson to figurative language and figures of speech
Engage/Introduction: (approximate time: 15 mins )

I will break students into groups of 3-4. Together, they will work through a list of
examples of figurative language (handout can be seen above in materials). They will
attempt to define the examples and explain why they mean what they do. This will get
their minds working and allow them to collaborate. (10 minutes)
Students will share their findings with the rest of class (5 minutes)

Explore/Learning Activities: (approximate time: 30 mins )

I will pass out the next hand out (see above Figurative Language handout). At this
time, I will define figurative language and introduce 6 types of figures of speech.
Students will work through the handout
o They will begin by defining the 6 figures of speech. If technology is available
they can look up definitions of chromebooks/iPads/etc. If no technology is
available, they may use dictionaries.
o After defining, students will return to the first handout (What do these
mean?). They will determine what figure of speech is being portrayed in the
5 examples providing evidence/explanation to support their claim.
o Following that, students will write their own examples of the 6 figures of
speech on the Figurative Language handout.
o We will watch this Youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPjAiUbdl14 This video provides more
examples of figurative language it also defines them in an easy to
understand way.
Explanation/Closure: (approximate time: 15 mins )
We will quickly define the 6 figures of speech on the Figurative Language handout
We will go over the correct answers for the What do these mean? handout. Students
will provide short explanations for each answer I will correct and supplement where
needed.
Students will share their examples of the 6 figures of speech from the Figurative
Language handout, explaining why it is a certain figure of speech as they go.
I will ask, How does figurative enhance/detract from writing? What genres heavily
use figurative language?

Elements of effective instruction: (Describe how the lesson addresses each of the following.

If not applicable, explain.)

1. Describe how the lesson fosters intrinsic motivation to learn.

Figurative language is something we all use in our day-to-day lives. My students will have the opportunity to
understand their meanings and connotations better. It will also allow them to discover the information for
themselves it will be self guided.

2. Describe how the lesson elicits students prior knowledge.

The lesson requires that the students have an understanding of description in different genres it also requires them
to have a firm grasp on the word genre and its connotations. Students may have some outside knowledge on
figurative language in that case, it will come in very handy here.

3. Describe how the lesson intellectually engages the students in making meaning of the
phonics concept.
It encourages students to think critically about language and its effect it has on our understanding. Students will gain
control of their language and be able to better use it in specific situations after this lesson. They will understand
when times are appropriate for figurative language.

4. Describe how students will be evaluated in their understanding of the concepts covered.
Students will be evaluated by their ability to correctly fill out the two handouts. They will also be evaluated by the
small and large group discussions. I will gauge their understanding based off of these two forms of evaluation. If this
were a real class, they would be required to use figurative language in later lessons thus providing a fuller form of
evaluation.

5. Describe how the students engage in making sense of the material covered in the lesson.
Students engage by participating in small and large group discussions. This provides them opportunities to share
their ideas and collaborate together. They will also have time to work individually to come up with their own
personal understanding of figurative language. Students will be encouraged to think critically about figurative
language they hear and use in day-to-day life.

What do these mean? Why?

He has a heart of stone.

It was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

The sun played hide and seek with the clouds.

The burning wood hissed and crackled.

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Figurative Language
Figurative Language: language that contains or uses figures of speech
On your Chromebooks (or with a dictionary), look up the definitions of the
following figures of speech. After you defined the terms, return to the previous
handout and decide which figure of speech each example is provide evidence to
support your claim. If you finish that early, write your own examples of the
following figures of speech.
Figures of Speech:
Metaphor

Simile

Personification

Hyperbole

Symbolism

Alliteration

Onomatopoeia