• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Similes and metaphors). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which kind of figurative language is this? The snow was like a white blanket. (simile / metaphor / personification) → similePrompt: Does it use 'like' or 'as' to compare?
2. What does this metaphor mean? Her voice was music to his ears. (She spoke very loudly. / He could not hear her. / She was singing a song. / He was pleased by what she said.) → He was pleased by what she said.Prompt: A metaphor is not literally true.
3. Which kind of figurative language is this? He ran as fast as a cheetah. (simile / metaphor / personification) → similePrompt: Does it use 'like' or 'as' to compare?

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Idioms and proverbs. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What does this idiom or saying mean? "It's a piece of cake."
• Step 1: Idioms are fixed expressions with a figurative meaning.
• Step 2: So the answer is: It's very easy.
• Answer: It's very easy.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. What does this idiom or saying mean? "Let's call it a day." (Let's phone a friend. / Let's give the day a name. / Let's start again. / Let's stop working for now.) → Let's stop working for now.Prompt: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what the words say.
2. What does this idiom or saying mean? "Once in a blue moon." (Every night. / Every month. / Very rarely. / When the moon is blue.) → Very rarely.Prompt: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what the words say.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. What does this idiom or saying mean? "The early bird catches the worm." (Being late is fine. / People who start early often succeed. / You should eat worms. / Birds wake up early.) → People who start early often succeed.Prompt: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what the words say.
2. What does this idiom or saying mean? "You hit the nail on the head." (You made a mistake. / You are good at building. / You said exactly the right thing. / You hurt your hand.) → You said exactly the right thing.Prompt: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what the words say.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.