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English lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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? Can I have a glass of milk? (a cup made of glass / a window pane) → a cup made of glassPrompt: Read the whole sentence, not just the word.
  2. Which word is the WEAKEST (least strong)? cold, freezing, cool (cold / freezing / cool) → coolPrompt: These words mean nearly the same thing but some are stronger.
  3. Which sentence uses the word with this meaning: duck (bend down fast)? (The duck swam away. / Duck, or the ball will hit you!) → Duck, or the ball will hit you!Prompt: Read both sentences carefully.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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? Break a leg in the show tonight! (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? (extremely tired / very hungry / very fast / asleep in bed) → extremely tiredPrompt: The words do not mean exactly what they say.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Is this sentence literal or figurative? The rabbit has long, soft ears. (literal: it means exactly what it says / figurative: it means something different) → literal: it means exactly what it saysPrompt: Picture exactly what the words say. Could it really happen?
  2. Read the sentence. It costs an arm and a leg to fix the car. What does "an arm and a leg" mean? (a small amount / a lot of money / a long time / a doctor's visit) → a lot of moneyPrompt: The words do not mean exactly what they say.

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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Read the sentence. After the long hike, I was dead on my feet. What does "dead on my feet" mean?

    • A. asleep in bed
    • B. very fast
    • C. extremely tired
    • D. very hungry

  2. Question 2

    Is this sentence literal or figurative? Dad broke a plate when he dropped it.

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

  3. Question 3

    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

  4. Question 4

    Read the sentence. My little sister is a chatterbox. What does that mean?

    • A. She likes boxes.
    • B. She is very quiet.
    • C. She talks a lot.
    • D. She owns a box.

  5. Question 5

    Is this sentence literal or figurative? The gold coin was heavy.

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

  6. Question 6

    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

  7. Question 7

    Read the sentence. When Mo saw the spider, he jumped out of his skin. What does "jumped out of his skin" mean?

    • A. He was very startled.
    • B. He took off his coat.
    • C. He jumped very high.
    • D. He hurt himself.

  8. Question 8

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

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

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

  1. 1. C. extremely tired

  2. 2. A. literal: it means exactly what it says

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

  4. 4. C. She talks a lot.

  5. 5. A. literal: it means exactly what it says

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

  7. 7. A. He was very startled.

  8. 8. C. a bit ill