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English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 30 minutes

Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

Vocabulary

CCSS L.3.5.ACCSS RL.3.4England: Y3/4 Reading (figurative language)England: Y4 Vocabulary (idioms)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say.

  • 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: One word, two meanings (bat, duck, ring); Shades of meaning

Leads to: Words from myths (a Herculean task, an Achilles' heel); Same word, different job: noun, verb, adjective or adverb?

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 (One word, two meanings (bat, duck, ring); Shades of meaning). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What does the word mean in THIS sentence? I heard the dog bark. (the hard outside of a tree / the sound a dog makes) → the sound a dog makesPrompt: Read the whole sentence, not just the word.
  2. Which word is the WEAKEST (least strong)? stunning, beautiful, pretty (stunning / beautiful / pretty) → prettyPrompt: These words mean nearly the same thing but some are stronger.
  3. Which sentence uses the word with this meaning: bark (a dog's sound)? (The bark of the tree is rough. / Dogs bark at the postman.) → Dogs bark at the postman.Prompt: Read both sentences carefully.

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? Phrases that don't mean what they say. 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 this sentence literal or figurative? I ate a piece of cake at the party.
  • Step 1: Literal language means exactly what it says. Figurative language uses words in a different way to make a point.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: literal: it means exactly what it says
  • Answer: literal: it means exactly what it says
  • 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.
  1. Is this sentence literal or figurative? Time flies when you're having fun. (literal: it means exactly what it says / figurative: it means something different) → figurative: it means something differentPrompt: Picture exactly what the words say. Could it really happen?
  2. Read the sentence. After the long hike, I was dead on my feet. What does "dead on my feet" mean? (very hungry / very fast / asleep in bed / extremely tired) → extremely tiredPrompt: The words do not mean exactly what they say.

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.
  1. Read the sentence. Gran said, "Hold your horses! We'll leave in a minute." What does she mean? (Feed the horses. / Hold on tightly. / Wait and be patient. / Hurry up.) → Wait and be patient.Prompt: The words do not mean exactly what they say.
  2. Is this sentence literal or figurative? Keep an eye on your little sister. (literal: it means exactly what it says / figurative: it means something different) → figurative: it means something differentPrompt: Picture exactly what the words say. Could it really happen?

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: One word, two meanings (bat, duck, ring).
  • 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: Words from myths (a Herculean task, an Achilles' heel); Same word, different job: noun, verb, adjective or adverb?.
  • 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-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Read the sentence. "I'm all ears," said Dad. "Tell me about your day." What does "all ears" mean?

    • A. has big ears
    • B. ready to listen carefully
    • C. cannot hear
    • D. wants to sleep

  2. Question 2

    Is this sentence literal or figurative? Grandma was all ears when I told my story.

    • A. literal: it means exactly what it says
    • B. figurative: it means something different

  3. Question 3

    Read the sentence. Gran said, "Hold your horses! We'll leave in a minute." What does she mean?

    • A. Wait and be patient.
    • B. Hurry up.
    • C. Feed the horses.
    • D. Hold on tightly.

  4. Question 4

    Is this sentence literal or figurative? Keep an eye on your little sister.

    • A. literal: it means exactly what it says
    • B. figurative: it means something different

  5. Question 5

    Read the sentence. Ana felt under the weather, so she stayed home. What does "under the weather" mean?

    • A. outside in the rain
    • B. a bit ill
    • C. too hot
    • D. very happy

  6. Question 6

    Is this sentence literal or figurative? It's raining cats and dogs out there.

    • A. literal: it means exactly what it says
    • B. figurative: it means something different

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Answer key: Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say

  1. 1. B. ready to listen carefully

  2. 2. B. figurative: it means something different

  3. 3. A. Wait and be patient.

  4. 4. B. figurative: it means something different

  5. 5. B. a bit ill

  6. 6. B. figurative: it means something different