English lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 30 minutes
Literal or figurative meaning?
Vocabulary
CCSS L.8.5CCSS L.7.5.AEngland: KS3 Reading (language)England: GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q2
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Literal or figurative meaning?.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Idioms and proverbs; Similes and metaphors
Leads to: What does the symbol represent?; Naming language techniques (GCSE)
Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Idioms and proverbs; Similes and metaphors). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What does this idiom or saying mean? "Don't let the cat out of the bag." (Don't go shopping. / Keep the pet indoors. / Don't tell the secret. / Don't be scared.) → Don't tell the secret.Prompt: An idiom doesn't mean exactly what the words say.
- Which kind of figurative language is this? The lake was like a mirror. (simile / metaphor / personification) → similePrompt: Does it use 'like' or 'as' to compare?
- What does this metaphor mean? He has a heart of gold. (He is very kind. / He is ill. / He is very rich. / He is strong.) → He is very kind.Prompt: A metaphor is not literally true.
Hook · 3 min
- Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
- Share the objective: Literal or figurative meaning?. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Is the phrase in capitals used literally or figuratively? She has A HEART OF GOLD.
- Step 1: Literal language means exactly what it says; figurative language uses words beyond their normal meaning for effect.
- Step 2: It means she is very kind.
- Step 3: So the answer is: figurative
- Answer: figurative
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Is the phrase in capitals used literally or figuratively? The chef CUT the onions finely. (literal / figurative) → literalPrompt: Could this really, physically happen as written?
- What does the figurative phrase suggest? "Don't let the cat out of the bag." What does this mean? (don't release the cat / don't open your bag / don't buy a cat / don't reveal the secret) → don't reveal the secretPrompt: Picture the literal image. What feeling or idea does it create?
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- 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.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- What does the figurative phrase suggest? "The idea snowballed." What does this mean? (it grew rapidly / it was thrown away / it melted / it became cold) → it grew rapidlyPrompt: Picture the literal image. What feeling or idea does it create?
- Is the phrase in capitals used literally or figuratively? We heard AN OWL hooting in the woods. (literal / figurative) → literalPrompt: Could this really, physically happen as written?
Watch out for
- Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
- Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Idioms and proverbs.
- Use concrete materials: word cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: What does the symbol represent?; Naming language techniques (GCSE).
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder