Figurative Language: Teaching Idioms

By developing a clear understanding of figurative language, students can further comprehend texts that contain metaphorical and lexical meanings beyond the basic word level. In this lesson, students explore figurative language with a focus on the literal versus the metaphorical translations of idioms. Through read-alouds, teacher modeling, and student-centered activities that are presented in the classroom, students will further develop their understanding of figurative language. This lesson plan teaches idioms, literal and nonliteral meanings, figurative language.

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Figurative Language: Teaching Idioms

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • Explore the use of figurative language in texts
  • Identify the literal representations of idioms through class discussions, drawings, and writing
  • Discuss connections between idioms and their personal experiences
  • Research the origins of selected idioms to reinforce the metaphorical meanings
  • Show an understanding of the metaphorical meanings of selected idioms by using them in sentences

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 
  • Develop an "Idiom Wall" where students can post idioms that they discover while reading. (You may choose to offer extra credit points for finding idioms during reading activities.)
  • Have students continue to research the history of particular idioms and the original context in which they were developed using resources such as the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • In a Pickle and Other Funny Idioms by Marvin Terban (Houghton Mifflin, 1983)
  • More Parts by Tedd Arnold (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2001)
  • Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms by Marvin Terban (Scholastic, 1998)
  • Drawing paper, colored pencils, crayons, and markers
  • Multiple computers with Internet access

References

Contributors: 
Paula Cox
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation