Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Figurative Language
Vocabulary Words
figure of speech The Mystery Word of the Week is infer.
literal
metaphor Model/Teach
• Distribute the Student Reproducible pages 313 and 314.
personification
• Ask a volunteer to read the Word Learning Tip. Explain that content
simile
words are not words students see every day. They are words about a
specific subject. All content words in this lesson tell about a special way
to use words, called figurative language.
• Then invite students to read the Vocabulary Building Strategy. Tell them
that even though some of the content words seem difficult, students
know that they are all about figurative language. Learning the
differences in the kinds of figurative language will help them when they
encounter these words in their reading.
• Next, have students read the directions and look at the four panels
shown on pages 313 and 314. Read the text aloud.
• Before you read the text a second time, do the on
page 307 to model how to find the meaning of the content words.
• After you have modeled how to find the meaning of the word literal by
associating the word with the topic, read each panel on the page again.
This time pause at each boldface word.
• Place the transparency on the overhead projector. Ask students what
word belongs as the title or the author’s big idea (figurative language).
Discuss with students where they have seen figurative language.
• Tell students that as you pause at each boldface word, you want them to
tell you how the word is connected to the topic of figurative language
and/or to one of the other content words. You also want them to tell you
small groups using flashcards to reinforce word meanings. The first thing I do is try to
understand what the author’s
subject is. The directions tell me
English Language Learners that these words are about
• Help students with the pronunciation and definition of the figurative language. The pictures,
vocabulary words. Divide the words into syllables and have students the speech balloons, and the text
clap out the syllables. Point out that the first syllable is accented in will help me understand the
literal, metaphor, simile, and figure. Pronounce personification with a meaning of the vocabulary words.
stress on the second syllable and the next-to-last syllable. Provide Let’s look at the first panel. I see a
students with a tape of the pronunciations for practice. If this is not girl listening to music through
possible, demonstrate and practice with students in small groups. earphones. She is saying: “When
I’m feeling lonely, I listen to my
Answer Key
See page 396 for definitions.
Think Aloud Review and Share Have students share the cartoons they
Let’s look at the phrase figure of generated for the activity on page 307. Post their work on the
speech and its definition. It is a bulletin board.
noun that means “an expression in
which words are used in a poetic Model/Teach
way.” I remember that figurative lan- • Distribute the Student Reproducible page 315.
guage is made up of figures of
speech. There are three kinds of fig-
• Before students start, do the .
ures of speech I have learned • After you have modeled completing a sentence, have students finish
about. They are the simile, the the rest of the items on their own.
metaphor, and personification. Now
• Ask students to share their responses. Make sure they explain their
let me look at the example: “He is
as strong as an ox.” This is not a
thinking.
literal statement. The man is not
really as strong as an ox. But the English Language Learners
words are a poetic way of saying • Encourage English Language Learners to share some figurative
that the man is very strong. When I language from their own cultures. They can make a list of common
read this figure of speech, I see a similes in their native language and translate them. Have students
picture in my mind. I see an ox and discuss similar figures of speech across cultures and languages.
I think of how strong an ox is. That
helps me imagine how strong this
Independent Activity
man is. He may not really be as
Search for Figures of Speech This would be a good homework
strong as an ox, but he’s very, very
assignment. Tell students to look in their reading books, library
strong. I complete the sentence:
“The figure of speech ‘as strong as
books, and books at home to find examples of similes, metaphors,
an ox’ means that the person is and personifications. They may also use the Internet. You might also
very strong.” have students use the figures of speech they find as models and write
their own.
Answer Key
Student’s responses to questions 1–5 will
vary. See page 402 for sample sentences.
6. figure of speech 7. literal 8. figure of
speech 9. figure of speech 10. literal
Getting Started
Mystery Word of the Week Clue 3
Think Aloud
The meanings in figurative language can
Let’s look at the first item: “A poem
become clear if you __________ and read can express your feelings or tell your
between the lines. thoughts about a topic. But you
don’t want your poem to use only
________ language, or language that
Review and Share Have students share the similes, metaphors, means exactly what the words say.
and personifications they found for the activity on page 309. Use some figurative language, too.”
Discuss the differences among these kinds of figures of speech. I need to find the vocabulary word
that says that the words mean
exactly what they say. This word
Model/Teach
describes language that is the oppo-
• Distribute the Student Reproducible page 316.
site of figurative language. I look at
• Before students start, do the . the vocabulary words. They all
describe figurative language, except
• After you have modeled filling in the blank with the word that fits
for the word literal. I remember that
the context, have students complete the rest of the items on their
literal means “every word says
own. Then allow time for them to share their responses.
exactly what it means.” That fits the
meaning of the sentence. I write lit-
Independent Activities eral in the blank and reread the sen-
Create Figures of Speech Students may work alone or in pairs tence. “But you don’t want your
to write a simile, a metaphor, and a personification. Students poem to use only literal language.”
who wish to do so may write a poem. It fits the meaning of the sentences
in item 1.
• Knock, Knock Each day, write the word simile, metaphor, or
personification on the board. As students ask permission to leave the
room, they have to give you an example of that type of figurative
language. (You might want to change the word at noon each day.)
Answer Key
1. literal
2. simile
3. metaphor
4. personification
5. figure of speech
6. figures of speech
7. simile
8. metaphor
9. Personification
10. literal
Think Aloud
Review and Share Invite students share the similes, metaphors,
Let’s do the first item together:
and personifications or poems they wrote for the activity on page
“Write a metaphor that expresses
your feelings about a rainy day.” A
317. Encourage them to write or print them and display them in the
metaphor is a figure of speech. It classroom.
does not use the word like or as,
but makes a direct comparison. Model/Teach
Now I am going to think about how • Distribute the Student Reproducible page 317.
a rainy day makes me feel.
• Use the before students begin the activity.
Sometimes a rainy day makes me
feel good, because it gives me an • After you have modeled how to complete the activity, have students
excuse not to do all the little finish it independently.
chores that clutter up my life. It
• Finally, tell students to read the directions to the second part of the
frees me up to do anything I want.
activity and complete it.
What else gives me that feeling?
Well, when I play Monopoly, I get • Arrange students in pairs to share their responses.
that feeling when I draw the “get
out of jail” card. So my metaphor Independent Activities
is: “A rainy day is a ‘get out of jail’ Write Figurative and Literal Statements Review the difference
card, freeing me up to do whatever between a figurative statement and a literal statement. Then ask
I want.”
students to choose topics and complete the activity independently.
• Share a Poem Have students share their favorite poem containing
figurative language with a partner. As they discuss the poem, remind
Answer Key them to use the vocabulary words.
Students’ responses to questions
1–5 will vary.
See page 402 for sample sentences.
6. personification
7. simile
8. literal
9. figure of speech
10. metaphor
Getting Started
page 310. Then have the class decide which of the figurative tures. It tells me that they are
sharp and clear. I know that effec-
statements are examples of similes, of metaphors, and of
tive figurative language makes me
personification.
see things clearly in my mind’s eye.
So vivid is the word I choose to
Model/Teach write in the blank.
• Distribute the Student Reproducible page 318. Read the boxed
information aloud and discuss the new bonus content words.
• Then use the to model how to complete the activity.
• After you have modeled completing an item, ask students to finish the
rest on their own and share their responses.
Independent Activities
Make a Comparison This is a good activity for students to do for
homework. If done in class, have students work in small groups.
Give each group two poems to compare. Then have them share their
comparisons.
• Write a Poem Invite students to write a poem. Encourage them to
use at least one simile, metaphor, or personification. Students who Answer Key
Mystery Word of the Week infer
wish to share their poems with the class may give a poetry reading.
(Accept any other words that fit
the context.)
1. vivid
2. image
3. simile
4. metaphor
5. personification
6. Literal
Answer Key
1. C 6. C
2. B 7. B
3. A 8. C
4. A 9. A
5. C 10. B
Music is my
best friend.
Directions Read each definition and example below. Then complete the sentence that follows.
1. figure of speech (noun): an expression in which words are used in a poetic way
Example: He is as strong as an ox.
Sentence: The figure of speech “as strong as an ox” means __________________________.
3. simile (noun): a figure of speech that uses the word like or as in which two very different
things are said to be similar
Example: Her eyes are as blue as the sky.
Sentence: “The baby is as sweet as sugar” is a simile because _________________________.
4. metaphor (noun): a figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another thing
Example: My love is a rose.
Sentence: A metaphor is different from a simile because _____________________ _________.
5. personification (noun): a figure of speech in which a nonliving thing acts like a human being
Example: The soft breeze ran its fingers through the leaves of the tree.
Sentence: The breeze is acting like a person because ________________________________.
8. The sun took pity on the old man and warmed him with her rays. ____________________
Search for Figures of Speech Look in a book of poems. Find an example of a simile, a metaphor, and
personification. Write these figures of speech in your personal word journal and label them.
Directions Read these instructions for how to write a poem. Fill each blank with the vocabulary word or
phrase that fits best. You will use each word twice. (The plural of figure of speech is figures of speech.)
1. A poem can express your feelings or tell your thoughts about a topic. But you don’t want
your poem to use only ____________________ language, or language that means exactly
what the words say. Use some figurative language, too.
2. Try to use some figures of speech. Don’t just say, “I feel angry.” Use a _________________
such as “I could roar like a lion.”
3. If you are feeling angry a lot, you might use a __________________ such as “ I am a lion,
roaring with anger.”
4. Or you could try _______________. You could take a feeling and make it act like a person.
For example, you could say, “Anger walked the streets of the city and made everyone afraid.”
5. A poem can be like a song. It can have a regular rhythm. The lines can rhyme. These poems use
word pictures called similes, metaphors, or personification. Each one is a __________________.
6. Other poems can be in free verse. These poems don’t rhyme. The rhythm is the same as
ordinary talking. But these are still poems because they use ___________________ to create
word pictures and express thoughts poetically.
7. A ________________________ uses the word like or as to show that two things are alike or
similar. An example is: “ I feel as swift as the wind when I run.”
8. A ____________________________ is a stronger way to say that two things are alike.
An example is: “When I run, I am the wind.” Can you see the difference?
9. __________________________ creates a word picture that can be fun to read. Take a thing
or idea and make it act like a person. For example: “The clouds are weeping today.”
10. Similes, metaphors, and personification are all ways for poets to express their ideas.
These figures of speech are not _____________________ statements. They don’t mean
exactly what the words say. But word pictures make a poem have more meaning than just
saying the literal truth. So use your imagination and see what word pictures you can create.
Create Figures of Speech Pick a topic you would like to write about in a poem. Write a simile, a metaphor,
and a personification about that topic. Save these in your personal word journal.
Words About Figurative Language 316
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Student's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
Words About Figurative Language
Directions Read each item below. Pay special attention to the vocabulary word in the instructions.
Then complete the sentence. Write your answer in the blank.
Directions Help Carlotta complete this composition about a poem she read. Choose the correct vocabulary
word from the two in parentheses. Write the missing vocabulary word in the blank. Use each word once.
I liked the way the poet used (6) _________________(simile, personification) to describe
the moon. He made the moon seem so shy that she often hid her light so people couldn’t find
her. There was one (7)_____________________ (metaphor, simile) I liked a lot. It is “The light
of the moon was as gentle as a cat’s purr.” I know these words were not meant to have their
(8)____________________ (literal, figure of speech), or exact, meaning, because the light of the
moon and a cat’s purr are two very different things. But this (9) _________________________
(figure of speech, personification) created an interesting word picture in my mind. Another figure
of speech I liked a lot was this (10) _____________________ (metaphor, literal): “The moon
is a silver coin tossed in the sky.”
Write Figurative and Literal Statements Choose any two topics. Write one statement that is literal about
one topic and one statement that is figurative about the other topic.
BONUS WORDS Here are two new words. Remember that these words all image a word
deal with the same big idea as your vocabulary words. That means that even picture
if you have never seen these words before, you know that they have to do vivid sharp and
with figurative language. You can use what you already know about figurative clear
language to understand the meanings of these words.
Directions Read each item below. Choose the vocabulary word or the new content word that best fits
the context. Write it in the blank.
3. You can identify a(n) ___________________________ because it always contains the word
like or as. When you say, “He is as clever as a fox,” you are using this figure of speech.
5. “The car hummed happily as we drove along a country road.” This is an example of
____________________________________________, or making a thing act like a person.
Make a Comparison Pick two poems that you like. Make a list of the ways they are similar. Do they both
use similes, metaphors, and personification? Do they both have rhyme and rhythm? Next, make a list of
the ways they are different. Then write a comparison between the two, telling how they are alike and different.
1. “Her eyes are like stars” is a __________________. It makes a comparison using like or as.
A. personification B. metaphor C. simile
2. “Her eyes are stars” is a ___________________________. It says that one thing is another.
A. personification B. metaphor C. simile
3. If you were writing a recipe telling how to make pizza, you would use ________________
language instead of figurative language.
A. literal B. simile C. figure of speech
8. “Kindness whispered in her ear and told her to help needy people.”
This sentence is a figure of speech called a _______________________________________.
A. simile B. metaphor C. personification
Lesson 21
figure of speech noun: an expression in which
words are used in a poetic way
literal (lit-ur-uhl) adjective: meaning exactly what
the words say
metaphor (met-uh-for or met-uh-fur) noun: a
figure of speech in which one thing is said to
be another thing
personification (pur-son-eh-fi-kay-shuhn) noun: a
figure of speech in which a nonliving thing acts
like a human being
simile (sim-uh-lee) noun: a figure of speech in
which two things are said to be similar, often
using like or as
396
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Teacher's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
TP = Teacher’s Pages. SP = Student’s Pages
SAMPLE SENTENCES
Lesson 21
402
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Teacher's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
GLOSSARY
F
figure of speech noun: an expression in which
words are used in a poetic way
L
literal (lit-ur-uhl) adjective: meaning exactly
what the words say
M
metaphor (met-uh-for or met-uh-fur) noun: a
figure of speech in which one thing is said
to be another thing
P
personification (pur-son-eh-fi-kay-shuhn) noun:
a figure of speech in which a nonliving
thing acts like a human being
S
simile (sim-uh-lee) noun: a figure of speech in
which two things are said to be similar,
often using like or as
404
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Student's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success Transparency 2
Author’s Big Idea or Subject is _________________________
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Teacher's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
is connected to the is connected to the is connected to the is connected to the
idea of _____________ idea of _____________ idea of _____________ idea of _____________
because ____________ because ____________ because ____________ because ____________
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
is connected to the idea of
________________________________
because _______________________
________________________________
419
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Teacher's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
Lesson 21 Lesson 21
443
metaphor personification simile
(met-uh-for or met-uh-fur) (pur-son-eh-fi-kay-shuhn) (sim-uh-lee)
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Teacher's Edition, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
noun: a figure of speech in which noun: a figure of speech in which noun: a figure of speech in which
two things are said to be similar, a nonliving thing acts like a one thing is said to be another
444
often using like or as human being thing