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Lesson Plan Template

  • Grade

  • Subject

  • Section

Fifth

ELA

Craft and Structure

  • Competency

Literary devices

  • Aligned Standards

Reading: Literature

  • Strand

RL.5.4

  • Vocabulary

Figure of Speech: A word or phrase used in a non-literal way to create an effect.
Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things.
Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as."
Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things.
Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement for effect.

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Analyze the Effects of Figures of Speech

Prerequisite Skill

Determine the Meanings of Similes and Metaphors

Materials and Preparation

  • Whiteboard and markers
  • TeachTastic Worksheet Pack for Analyzing Figures of Speech
  • Copies of sample texts with figures of speech highlighted
  • Chart paper and markers for group activities

Learning Objectives

  • Students will identify various figures of speech in a text.
  • Students will analyze how figures of speech affect the meaning and tone of a text.
  • Students will interpret the intended effect of figures of speech on the reader.

Introduction

Begin by asking students if they have ever heard or read a sentence that made them imagine something vividly. Explain that writers often use figures of speech to create strong images or convey emotions. Introduce the different types of figures of speech: personification, similes, metaphors, and hyperbole.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

Explain each figure of speech with examples:

  1. Personification: "The wind whispered through the trees."
  2. Simile: "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
  3. Metaphor: "Time is a thief."
  4. Hyperbole: "I am so hungry I could eat a horse."

Use new examples to explain each figure of speech:

Example 1:

  • Text: "The angry clouds marched across the sky."
  • Figure of Speech: Personification
  • Analysis: This personification gives human characteristics to the clouds, suggesting they are moving purposefully and aggressively. This creates a tense and dramatic tone.

Example 2:

  • Text: "She is as busy as a bee."
  • Figure of Speech: Simile
  • Analysis: This simile compares her busyness to that of a bee, which is known for its constant activity. This emphasizes how industrious she is and contributes to a tone of admiration or acknowledgment.

Example 3:

  • Text: "His words were a double-edged sword."
  • Figure of Speech: Metaphor
  • Analysis: This metaphor compares his words to a double-edged sword, suggesting they can have both positive and negative effects. This adds a tone of caution or complexity to the description.

Example 4:

  • Text: "I've told you a million times to clean your room!"
  • Figure of Speech: Hyperbole
  • Analysis: This hyperbole exaggerates the number of times the speaker has given the instruction, emphasizing their frustration. This creates a tone of exasperation.

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Guided Practice

Provide students with copies of sample texts that contain various figures of speech. Work through the first few examples together, identifying the figure of speech and discussing its effect on the text's meaning and tone. Use chart paper to visually map out examples and their effects.

Independent Practice

Assign specific worksheets from the TeachTastic Worksheet Pack for students to complete independently. These worksheets should include identifying and analyzing figures of speech in different texts. Circulate the room to provide assistance and check for understanding. Examples of problems might include:

  • "The classroom was a zoo." (Metaphor)
  • "He ran faster than the wind." (Hyperbole)
  • "The flowers danced in the breeze." (Personification)

Differentiation

Support

  • Offer additional practice with identifying figures of speech using simpler texts for students who need it.
  • Provide step-by-step written guides for analyzing figures of speech.
  • Pair students who are struggling with a peer tutor for additional support.

Extension

  • Provide challenging texts with more complex uses of figures of speech for advanced analysis.
  • Introduce the concept of analyzing the cumulative effect of multiple figures of speech in a longer text.
  • Offer additional creative writing activities where students use figures of speech in their own writing.

Assessment

Use the specific assessment worksheets from the TeachTastic Worksheet Pack to evaluate students' understanding. Ensure the assessment includes a variety of texts and figures of speech for analysis.

Review and closing

Summarize the key points of the lesson. Ask students to share what they learned about figures of speech and their effects on meaning and tone. Address any remaining questions and clarify misconceptions.

Misconceptions

  • Students may think figures of speech are always literal. Address this by using clear examples and emphasizing their non-literal nature.
  • Students may confuse different types of figures of speech. Clarify by providing distinct examples and definitions.
  • Students may struggle to connect the figure of speech to the text's tone. Reinforce this by discussing the emotional or visual impact of each example.
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