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Demonstrate understanding of word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  1. Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
  2. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).
Standard #: LAFS.4.L.3.5Archived Standard
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Grade: 4
Strand: Language Standards
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Cluster: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Date Adopted or Revised: 12/10
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Related Courses
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
  • Lead Me Into Exciting Writing! #

    In this lesson students will practice creating a variety of introductions for narrative writing using fairy tales as the springboard.

  • Using Idioms to Explain the Plot and to Predict Future Events # In this lesson, students will use idioms to explain a plot and predict what will happen next in a story. The featured text for this lesson is the book In a Pickle and Other Funny Idioms by Marvin Terba. There are also two practice passages provided with the resource.
  • IMAGERY THROUGH THE EYES OF THE OWL MOON BY JANE YOLEN # This lesson incorporates the use of the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen to help scaffold student skills by enriching their writing with descriptive words, metaphors, similes, and imagery. Teachers can use the shades of meaning within the text to help students understand the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the story. The book is full of beautiful descriptive passages that stand as excellent exemplars of how a simple scene can be brought to life with the addition of figurative language. In the end of lesson assessment, students will create their own vivid story while writing from their own experience.
  • Owl Moon: Similies and Metaphors # In this lesson, students will be able to identify similes and metaphors within a piece of literature. Students will be able to determine the meaning of the simile or metaphor and explain how it contributes to the text. The students will be able to then use their understanding of similes and metaphors to apply them to their own narrative writing.
  • Incredible Idioms # In this lesson, students will listen to and read literature where figurative language (specifically idioms) are used to convey meaning and enhance the writing. Students will have opportunities to explore and discuss idioms, in addition to applying their understanding of idioms by incorporating idioms in their own writing. Students will work in groups, individually, and with direct instruction from the teacher to gain a better understanding of idioms and how they are used in literature.
  • Figurative Language: Interpretation of Similes and Metaphors # In this resource, students will interpret the meanings of poems using similes and metaphors. The featured resource in the teacher modeling and guided practice sections utilize the text Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes edited by David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad. The poem (not a Langston Hughes poem) for the independent practice is provided with the lesson.
  • Idioms...Let's "Figure" Them Out! # In this lesson students will be introduced to commonly used idioms and their meanings. Students will have the opportunity to listen to idioms used in short stories and recognize how they add meaning to the text. Students will be given time to work in small groups and discuss idioms found in stories they will read with one another. Students will also have the opportunity to work individually to create illustrations that depict both the literal meaning and the figurative meaning of the idiom of their choice.
Student Center Activities
  • Vocabulary: Homophone Hunt # In this activity, students will choose the correct homophone to complete sentences.
  • Vocabulary: Homograph Hitch # In this activity, students will identify the meanings of homographs by playing a matching game.
  • Vocabulary: Spin Sort # In this activity, students will identify and sort contractions, synonyms, antonyms, abbreviations, homophones, and homographs.
  • Vocabulary: Homophone Go Fish # In this activity, students will match homophones with their meanings by playing a card game.
  • Vocabulary: Homograph Hoorah! # In this activity, students will read two meanings and write the matching homograph.
  • Vocabulary: Antonym Concentration # In this activity, students will match antonyms by playing a memory game.
  • Vocabulary: Antonym Dominoes # In this activity, students will identify antonyms by playing a domino game.
  • Vocabulary: Synonym Bingo! # In this activity, students will identify synonyms by playing a bingo-like game.
  • Vocabulary: Analogy Soccer # In this activity, students will identify words to complete analogies.
  • Vocabulary: Category Clues # In this activity, students will produce category labels for related words to demonstrate understanding of their shared attributes/meanings.
  • Vocabulary: Category Creations # In this activity, students will produce categories and corresponding words. As an adaptation to this activity, the students may sort teacher-selected words into categories and produce a category heading based on shared attributes OR produce words that belong in teacher-selected categories (based on units of study).
  • Vocabulary: Category Tag # In this activity, students will state words that correspond to specific categories by playing a board game. NOTE: A blank game board is provided to allow teachers to create categories relevant to classroom instruction. As an extension, students may choose the word that does not belong in a set of words and name the category for the remaining words.
  • Vocabulary: Compare Extraordinaire # In this activity, students will identify similarities and differences between the meanings of words using a Venn diagram.
  • Vocabulary: Hink Pink Think! # In this activity, students will find Hink Pinks that correspond to meanings by playing a matching game.
  • Vocabulary: Homograph Hook # In this activity, students will match homographs with their corresponding meanings.
  • Vocabulary: Now Featuring # In this activity, students will distinguish one word from another by completing an attribute analysis grid. As an adaptation to this activity, teachers may create attribute analysis grids that reflect units of study.
  • Vocabulary: Pun Fun # In this activity, students will identify examples of non-literal words and phrases in text and record possible meanings.
  • Vocabulary: Synonym-Antonym Creations # In this activity, students will produce synonyms and antonyms to match targeted words.
  • Vocabulary: Up With Words # In this activity, students will produce more precise alternatives for overused words in context.
  • Vocabulary: Word-by-Word # In this activity, students will show the relationship among words by placing them on a continuum.
  • Vocabulary: Worn-Out Words # In this activity, students will produce synonyms as more precise alternatives for overused words.
Unit/Lesson Sequence
  • As Slippery as an Eel: An Ocean Unit Exploring Simile and Metaphor # In this resource, students will be introduced to the concepts of simile and metaphor. Throughout guided and independent practice, they will create their own similes and metaphors inspired by pictures of ocean animals. Students will use templates to create a class book on the ocean that features similes and metaphors, along with student created illustrations, to showcase those comparisons.
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