Figurative language is the sparkle in the gem of writing. Figurative language adds richness to expressive writing and is an essential skill for students to recognize and master. This type of writing takes a mundane sentence and adds a flourish of description. Without figurative language, one’s writing may seem boring and without magic. Join us as we explore 5 creative ways to teach figurative language.
Although a “main course” in writing, figurative language can often be seen as a “dessert,” which educators may leave off the menu because of the countless standards they must already address. That’s why we have developed five engaging strategies to teach figurative language that will captivate your students and make learning fun.
#1 Mentor Text
Students must become familiar with figurative language and the differing types before writing their own examples. By reading figurative language examples in real books, students learn from the best: real authors, making mentor text an authentic experience for students. Mentor text is real-life wonderful examples of writing. It is the epitome of what students will strive for in their writing pieces.
Here are some of our favorite books that act as mentor texts for figurative language:
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
This beautifully written book is filled with poetic language, including similes, metaphors, and personification, as a father and child go owling on a cold winter night.
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
In this story, a grandmother helps her granddaughter overcome her fear of thunderstorms by baking a “thunder cake.” The book is filled with similes, metaphors, and sensory language that make the story come alive.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall by Kenard Pak
Rich with descriptive words and personification, Kenard Pak’s books about all the differing seasons are perfect examples of flourishing figurative language.
As you read these mentor text examples, regularly stop and discuss any figurative language you come across. Record your findings on the projector, whiteboard, or anchor charts. Before reading the mentor text, go over the specific examples you’re looking for. Tell your class that this particular picture book has a ton of similes and that you’re going on a treasure hunt to find them all.
#2 Consistent Practice!
To continue to promote figurative language, students must have weekly practice with recognizing the various types. The six main types of figurative language include:
- Similes
- Metaphors
- Onomatopoeia
- Personification
- Alliteration
- Hyperbole
If you utilize morning work or bellringers, choose one day a week in which students identify various figurative language from mentor text examples, such as a sentence or paragraph from a book. Try to choose books that students are familiar with. Then, have students guess which book the example is from. You could even choose a novel or picture book you’re going to read with the class to give them a sort of preview into the plot and writing craft.
Additionally, incorporate regular figurative language practice with various popular holidays or fun school days. Grab our full and GROWING figurative language bundle here. Students will practice identifying and writing figurative language in each themed resource.
This bundle includes:
- Back to School Figurative Language
- Pirate Figurative Language (Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19!)
- Spooky Figurative Language
- Thanksgiving Figurative Language
- Christmas Figurative Language
- Valentine’s Day Figurative Language
- St. Patrick’s Day Figurative Language
- Figurative Language Posters
- Figurative Language PowerPoint & Activities
When students write a story, require certain figurative language examples in their pieces. Some teachers may not like this approach as they want students to be able to organically incorporate figurative language in their writing. I believe students will get to that point with a certain amount of training and by requiring specific figurative language examples like 1 simile and 1 metaphor in a particular story, students will start to write in this way.
#3 Games
By allowing students to practice figurative language in fun ways, they’ll be able to remember each type more easily. Here are some fun games:
- Play Pictionary with various common hyperbole examples. Students are divided into two teams and a student from each team must pull a hyperbole example from a bowl or hat. Next, one student draws their example on the board, and if a team member guesses it correctly, the team receives a point. Next, the other team takes their turn at the board. Tip: Go over each example with the entire class before playing.
- Onomatopeia Charades: Students are divided into two teams and a student from each team pulls an onomatopeia example card from a bowl or hat. The student must act out the “sound” without making the sound. If guessed correctly, the team gains a point. For example, a student might pull the word, “sizzle.” Therefore, they may act out sizzle by pretending to cook on a pan. Next, the other team takes their turn. Tip: Display ALL possible onomatopoeia examples on the board like a “word bank,” to help students.
- Alliteration Tongue Twister Challenge: Students are divided into two teams and a student from each team pulls a tongue twister example (aka alliteration) and must say it correctly straight through without messing up. A team gains a point if the student can say it without messing up. Up the ante by requiring students to say it two or three times depending as each round progresses or based on how well they do.
#4 Incorporate Artwork
Students can draw various examples of figurative language. For example, have students illustrate each type, or students may draw/paint one particular example in a more detailed and intricate illustration. After creating their artwork, students can write a short paragraph explaining how their art represents the figurative language device they chose.
Show specific artwork on the projector such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and students will create various similes and metaphors based on what they see.
Have students personify various pictures such as a painting of a large lonely tree or a landscape of a field of flowers. Students can write a paragraph or mini-story about their personification example.
Students can create a digital collage (think Canva or Google Slides!) to illustrate a particular metaphor. For instance, students can create a collage based on Time is a Thief.
By incorporating art to practice figurative language, this cross-curricular approach engages both creative and analytical skills.
#5 Figurative Language Scavenger Hunts
Grab various picture books from the library and place students into groups. Have them search through the books to find each example of figurative language. Students write down their findings. Next, students share the various examples of figurative language they found with the class.
Another type of figurative language scavenger hunt incorporates movement. Tape different examples of figurative language around the classroom and have students use a recording sheet to write each example in its appropriate space on the sheet. Come together as a class to review the correct answers.
Another kind of figurative language scavenger hunt integrates music. Students look up the lyrics to their favorite songs to identify various figurative language examples. They could also find various songs that are good examples of specific types of figurative language. Students present their findings to the class and even play the songs for the class. This is a memorable activity and lesson. (Warning! You may have a lot of Taylor Swift songs used as examples!)
Conclusion
Teaching figurative language doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be an exciting adventure that unleashes your students’ creativity. By incorporating mentor text, regular practice, art, music, and scavenger hunts into your lessons, you can make figurative language engaging and accessible for all learners. Give these strategies a try and watch your students’ understanding and appreciation of figurative language soar!
