Unpacked
RL.3.4
Standard:
RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
Unpacked Standard:
Third grade students are required to tell the meaning of words and phrases in a text, noting the
differences between literal and nonliteral language.
Students will use context clues to identify meaning of unknown words. Students will identify
and understand author’s word choice. Students will recognize multiple meaning words and the
way an author has chosen to use them.
Literal means exactly what it says; the dictionary meaning of a word or phrase.
example: The air was filled with smoke because the entire building was on fire.
In this sentence, on fire has a literal meaning. The building was covered in flames and was
burning down. The context clue of the air being “filled with smoke” helps the reader understand
that the meaning is literal.
Nonliteral language is figurative language which uses similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and
personification to describe something often through comparison with something different.
example: After the runner crossed the finish line, her lungs were on fire.
In this sentence, on fire has a nonliteral meaning. The runner’s lungs weren’t really covered in
flames. Instead, the runner’s lungs felt like they were burning. The writer uses on fire to better
describe the pain the runner felt.
What students need to know:
 the difference between literal and
nonliteral.
 how to determine if the phrase is literal
or nonliteral.
 how to use context clues to gain
meaning of nonliteral phrases.
Level 1
Entering
Level 2
Emerging
What students need to do:
 explain the difference between an
author’s use of literal and nonliteral
words and phrases.
 determine the meaning of nonliteral
words and phrases used in a text by
using context clues and background
knowledge.
Level 3
Developing
Level 4
Expanding
Level 5
Bridging
With teacher
support,
determine the
meaning of
words and
phrases as
they are used
in a text by
matching the
highlighted
text (word
and text clues)
to pictures
distinguishing
literal from
nonliteral
language.
With a
partner,
determine the
meaning of
words and
phrases as
they are used
in a text by
matching the
highlighted
(word and
text clues) to
pictures
With a
partner,
determine the
meaning of
words and
phrases as
they are used
in a text by
matching
highlighted
words to
highlighted
text
literal from
nonliteral
language.
literal from
nonliteral
language.
distinguishing
distinguishing
With a
partner,
determine the
meaning of
words and
phrases as
they are used
in a text by
highlighting
the word and
matching it to
the
highlighted
meaning clues
in the text
distinguishing
literal from
nonliteral
language
With a
partner,
determine the
meaning of
words and
phrases as
they are used
in a text by
highlighting
an example of
literal in one
color and
nonliteral in
another color
along with
clues used to
determine the
meanings.
ELD Standard: English language learners communicate information, ideas and
concepts necessary for academic success in the content of Language Arts.
Level 6 Reaching
Domain: Reading
Unpacked
RL.3.4