Lesson Plan
Topic
Figurative Language
Grade Level
5th grade
Length of Time
30 minutes
Academic Standards
Standard
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.
Assessment Anchor- Eligible Content
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.
Lesson Objectives
Students will be able to…
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Define four figurative language devices: simile, metaphor, alliteration, and
personification.
Identify examples of similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification.
Essential Questions
What is figurative language?
What are similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification?
Materials
Figurative Language Notes handout
“Green Isn’t So Bad” poem
Figurative Language Statement strips
Figurative Language Signs (one of each)
Model Poems
Accommodations

Supply students with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments with a modified
version of Figurative Language Notes that includes device and fill in the blank
definition.
Management
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Before Learning Activity:
o Hang up the four signs on the front board; using a different color for each.
o Cut out, shuffle, and hand out the slips of paper to each student.
For Ticket out the Door, cut out copies of the Model poems, one for each student.
Lesson Procedure
Hook:
1. Ask students’ “What is Figurative Language?”
2. Have them think-pair-share with a partner and write whatever answers they come
up with on the front board. (Poems, songs, various literary devices, etc.)
3. Type the following link to play Figurative Language rap on the computer:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9pd6h9JT0)
4. Have students point out different things they heard about figurative language in
the music video. (Using words in different ways, not meaning what you say
literally, various literary devices, etc.)
5. Explain to students the definition of Figurative Language.
a. Think aloud: Figurative Language is the use of words that go beyond their
ordinary meaning. It requires you to use your imagination to figure out the
author's meaning.
Development of Concepts:
1. Hand out page of Figurative Language Notes to students.
2. Begin by modeling how to use the organizer by pointing out the four sections of
each box and their role: DEVICE, DEFINITION, EXAMPLE, and NONEXAMPLE.
3. Think aloud: Where is says “Device”, what that means is literary device. A literary
device is how a writer conveys his/her message to the reader. The devices we
are going to learn about are simile, metaphor, personification, and alliteration.
4. Continue review of definitions for the following literary devices: personification,
metaphor, simile, and alliteration. (*Refer to the teacher copy for definitions and
examples)
a. Explain to students that they should write “Simile” in the first section under
DEVICE and then copy the definition as you read it.
Think Aloud: In our first box, in the space under the DEVICE, I would like
everyone to write the word “Simile”. [Pause] Under DEFINITION, please
write a comparison of two things using “like” or “as”.
b. After speaking, write down the device and definition in the appropriate
spaces using a blank copy of the notes that is being projected onto the
front board for student reference.
c. Continue this process for the device and definition boxes with Metaphor,
Simile, and Alliteration.
5. Tell students to put their notes page aside for later.
Think Aloud: Now that we know what literary devices we are working with, we
can come up with some great examples and non-examples of them!
6. Read the directions and poem aloud to the students from the “Green Isn’t So
Bad” handout once for students.
7. Hand out a copy of the poem to each student.
8. Reread the poem and have students listen for and underline examples they find
of simile, metaphor, personification, and alliteration.
9. After reading, have class discussion of examples students found.
a. Think Aloud: Did anyone find any examples of simile, metaphor,
personification, or alliteration they would like to share? (Pickle pinches,
cold and crunchy, you are green when your heart is broken, Green is mold
and jealousy, paints a forest of pine trees, etc.)
10. Tell students that they may record any examples they found in this poem under
their EXAMPLE space in their notes.
11. Allow students time to fill in the rest of their boxes.
a. Think Aloud: Now that you have some good examples for each device, I
want everyone to think of at least two non-examples. This means that
what you write is NOT an example of the literary device.
12. Collect students’ completed Figurative Language Notes.
13. Explain to students: Today we are going to play a game. Each student will be
given a slip of paper with a saying or statement. It may or may not sound familiar
to you but that’s ok. Your job is to read your slip of paper and decide if it is an
example of personification, metaphor, simile, or alliteration. We are going go
around the room and take turns identifying what literary device you have. When it
is your turn, I want you to read your slip of paper aloud and come up to the front
and stick your slip of paper closest to the sign.
[Hand out one slip of paper to each student and instruct them to read it quietly to
themselves.]
14. Students should then go one at a time to read their statement aloud and stick
their slip at the correct sign.
15. Ask students if they agree with their peer’s placement of the slip.
16. If correct, move on to the next student. If incorrect, ask students for a consensus
on which device they think the slip really belongs and have the student move
their slip accordingly.
17. Game continues until every student has participated at least once and every slip
has been appropriately placed at a literary device sign.
Closure
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Ticket Out The Door: Hand out a short “Model Poems”; one to each student.
Students are to work individually, reading their poem quietly to themselves.
After reading, students should underline or circle any examples of figurative
language they find in their poem and label the literary device.
Teacher will collect before students are dismissed.
Assessment
Informal: Teacher will check for understanding by observing students’ responses and
body language during instruction, specifically note taking and the learning activity.
Formative: Teacher will collect “Figurative Language Notes” and the Ticket out the Door
for completeness and accuracy.
Sources
Academy of American Poets. (2014). For educators. Poets.org. Retrieved from
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/6
Incentive Publications, Inc. (1997). Green isn’t so bad. Identifying Literary Devices. 47.
Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2014). Standards. Standards Aligned System.
Retrieved from http://www.pdesas.org/standard/Views/
QLS PrepTwo. (2013). Figurative language rap song. YouTube. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9pd6h9JT0
Name _____________________________________________
Date____________________
Figurative Language Notes
DEVICE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
Figurative Language Notes (TEACHER COPY)
DEVICE
Simile
DEFINITION
The comparison of two
things using the word
“like” or “as”
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
“The water was as clear as
glass”
“The gospel singers were like
an choir of angels.”
“Time heals all wounds.”
“I am green with envy.”
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Metaphor
The comparison of two
things, without using the
word “like” or “as”.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
“A dream is a wish your heart
makes.”
“Time is money.”
“The ring sparkled like stars
in the night sky.”
“Sally sells seashells down by
the seashore.”
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Personification
Giving an object or animal
(something non-human)
human qualities or traits.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
“The thunder grumbled in the
sky, signaling a storm”
“The mountains glared at
them even from a distance”
“My alarm clock rang at 7:00 am.”
“Dance like no ones watching.”
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Alliteration
The repetition of the first
consonant sounds in words
that are near each other in
the text.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
“Weeping willows”
“the bumblebee buzzed”
“The leaves dance in the wind”
“Winners keepers, losers’
weepers”.
Name _______________________________________________ Date________________
Figurative Language Notes (modified)
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Simile
The comparison of two things
using the word
“_______________” or “___________”.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Metaphor
The comparison of two things,
______________________ using the word
“like” or “as”.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Personification
Giving an ___________________ or
______________________ (something
non-human) __________________
qualities or traits.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
DEVICE
DEFINITION
Alliteration
The repetition of the first
consonant ___________________ in
words that are __________________
each other in the text.
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
Statements of Figurative Language:
Sweet smell of success
He who laughs last laughs first
There’s a method to my madness
Peter Piper picked a peck of
pickled peppers
Pretty Polly picked pears for preserves
Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis
ball back over the net.
“My heart is a lonely hunter that
hunts on a lonely hill.”
Life is a highway
The ballerina was a swan,
gliding across the stage.
Words are bullets, and should be used
sparingly, aimed towards a target.”
The wind stood up and gave a shout. He
whistled on his fingers and kicked the
withered leaves about.
“Fear knocked on the door.
Faith answered.
There was no one there.”
My computer hates me.
Opportunity knocked on the door.
Snow had wrapped a white blanket
over the city.
The stars danced playfully in
the moonlit sky.
The first rays of morning tiptoed
through the meadow.
Life is like an onion: You peel it off one
layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
As alike as two peas in a pod
Shine bright like a diamond
From a distance, the hills seem to roll
like waves in a stormy sea
They were fighting a battle as old as time
His stare was as cold as ice
Tale as old as rhyme, song as old as time
METAPHOR
ALLITERATION
SIMILE
PERSONIFICATION