LAFS.5.L.3.5Archived Standard

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Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  1. Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
  2. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
  3. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Grade: 5
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
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: EBSR , MS , ST , MC item(s)
    • Assessed with: LAFS.5.RL.2.4, LAFS.5.L.3.4
    Also assesses: LAFS.5.RD.3.3 and LAFS.5.RF.4.4
  • Assessment Limits :
    Items may ask the student to use the text to determine the meaning of words and phrases. Items should ask the student to consider literal and figurative meanings of words. Items may ask the student to use context clues including Greek and Latin roots or affixes to determine the meaning of a word. Items may ask the student to interpret figurative language. Items may ask the student about nuances of word meanings as well as the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. Items may ask the student to determine the relationship between words in order to increase understanding. Items should focus on words and phrases that are central to the meaning of text. Items should not exclusively ask the student to determine the meanings of basic, everyday words and phrases that commonly appear in spoken language.
  • Text Types :
    The items assessing these standards may be used with one or more grade-appropriate literary texts. Texts may vary in complexity.
  • Response Mechanisms :
    The Enhanced Item Descriptions section on page 3 provides a list of Response Mechanisms that may be used to assess this standard (excluding the Editing Task Choice item type). The Sample Response Mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the examples below.
  • Task Demand and Sample Response Mechanisms :

    Task Demand

    Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Selectable Text

    • Requires the student to select words or phrases from the text that show the meaning of words used in the text.
    • Requires the student to correctly identify the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that provide clues to the meaning of that word. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase used in the text. 
    EBSR
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that support the correct meaning. 
    Multiselect
    • Requires the student to select words, phrases, or quotations that show the meaning of words used in the text. 

    Task Demand

    Use common Greek and Latin text. affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Multiple Choice

    • Requires the student to select the meaning of words used in the text that include a Greek or Latin affix or root. 
    Multiselect
    • Requires the student to select a Greek or Latin affix or root that shows the meaning of words used in the text.
    Task Demand

    Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    EBSR

    • Requires the student to select one or more examples of figurative language and then to select the correct explanation of their meaning. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language. 
    Selectable Text
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning.
    Task Demand

    Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs or nuances in word meaning.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    EBSR

    • Requires the student to select the meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb or to recognize nuances in word meaning. 
    Selectable Text
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text that support that meaning.
    Task Demand

    Use the relationships between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words. 

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of the word using a synonym, antonym, or homograph. 
     Multiselect
    • Requires the student to identify all related words from a list.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5010010: English for Speakers of Other Languages-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
5010020: Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 and beyond (current))
5010030: Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5010046: Language Arts - Grade Five (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7710016: Access Language Arts - Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5004250: Theatre Intermediate 3 (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5010105: Introduction to Debate Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

The Tiger Rising: A Book Study Using Literature Circles:

The Tiger Rising, written by the award winning author Kate DiCamillo, is an engaging story of two children whose lives are thrown together in a small town in Florida. Even though their personalities are in sharp contrast, they become friends who support each other through life's challenges of grief, pain, acceptance and their adventures with the tiger. Kate DiCamillo works her magic through her skilled use of figurative language to develop the characters in a way that engages readers in her character's adventures. Short chapters make this a perfect choice for literature circles. In this lesson, students will answer text-dependent questions as they analyze the two main characters in the story.

Type: Lesson Plan

Simile vs. Metaphor: Teaching the Difference through Song and Poetry:

In this lesson, students will work with similes and metaphors through the use of music and a graphic organizer. At the end, students will write a poem demonstrating their mastery of these types of figurative language.

Type: Lesson Plan

Are You Pulling My Leg!? A Lesson On Idioms:

In this lesson, students will practice recognizing and explaining the meaning of common idioms through poetry. As a summative assessment, students will complete an Idiom Art Project demonstrating an understanding of the difference between the literal and figurative meanings of the idiom they selected. Students will also mark and recognize rhyme scheme notation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Sing Your Heart Out, Figuratively:

Students will explore various types of figurative language, concentrating on similes and metaphors. They will see how figurative language is used in poetry to add imagery and provide deeper meanings and also see how figurative language is commonly used in popular songs. They will examine different types used in current songs and determine the deeper meanings of the figurative lyrics.

Type: Lesson Plan

Figuratively Speaking:

In this lesson, students will be working with 5 types of figurative language, including similes, metaphors, idioms, personification, and alliteration. Students will work together to create anchor charts for each type of figurative language, and then work in small groups to identify figurative language examples in poetry. They will identify the type of poem they are reading as they are hunting for figurative language. Finally, students will complete an individual assignment to gauge mastery of the figurative language skills learned.

Type: Lesson Plan

Personification is Calling You - Teaching Personification and Identifying Types of Poems:

In this lesson students will read poems, see pictures, and learn about personification- the figure of speech that describes nonliving/inanimate objects by giving them human characteristics. Students will identify types of poems and create lists of characteristics, identify feelings that they evoke, and write sentences using personification. They will be writing sentences using personification to express themselves and illustrate their examples.

Type: Lesson Plan

Close Reading Exemplar: "The Making of a Scientist":

The goal of this two to three day exemplar is to give students the opportunity to use the reading and writing habits they've been practicing on a regular basis to absorb deep lessons from Richard Feynman's recollections of interactions with his father. By reading and rereading the passage closely, and focusing their reading through a series of questions and discussion about the text, students will identify how and why Feynman started to look at the world through the eyes of a scientist. When combined with writing about the passage, students will discover how much they can learn from a memoir.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Adages and Proverbs: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Meet Melvin the Magician! When you’re dealing with magic, things are not always as they appear. That’s what makes magic fun! Similarly, when you’re working with adages and proverbs, things are also not always as they appear. Melvin will never reveal the secrets to his magic tricks, but he will reveal the secret to figuring out what adages and proverbs mean. Learn how to recognize adages and proverbs and explain their meaning.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Idioms: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Learn how to recognize idioms and explain their meanings as you complete this interactive, magic-themed tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Student Center Activities

Vocabulary: Homograph Hitch:

In this activity, students will identify the meanings of homographs by playing a matching game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Spin Sort:

In this activity, students will identify and sort contractions, synonyms, antonyms, abbreviations, homophones, and homographs.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Homophone Go Fish:

In this activity, students will match homophones with their meanings by playing a card game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Homograph Hoorah!:

In this activity, students will read two meanings and write the matching homograph.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Antonym Concentration:

In this activity, students will match antonyms by playing a memory game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Antonym Dominoes:

In this activity, students will identify antonyms by playing a domino game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Synonym Bingo!:

In this activity, students will identify synonyms by playing a bingo-like game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Analogy Soccer:

In this activity, students will identify words to complete analogies.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Category Clues:

In this activity, students will produce category labels for related words to demonstrate understanding of their shared attributes/meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

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).

Type: Student Center Activity

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.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Compare Extraordinaire:

In this activity, students will identify similarities and differences between the meanings of words using a Venn diagram.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Hink Pink Think!:

In this activity, students will find Hink Pinks that correspond to meanings by playing a matching game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Homograph Hook:

In this activity, students will match homographs with their corresponding meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

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.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Pun Fun:

In this activity, students will identify examples of non-literal words and phrases in text and record possible meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Synonym-Antonym Creations:

In this activity, students will produce synonyms and antonyms to match targeted words.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Up With Words:

In this activity, students will produce more precise alternatives for overused words in context.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word-by-Word:

In this activity, students will show the relationship among words by placing them on a continuum.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Worn-Out Words:

In this activity, students will produce synonyms as more precise alternatives for overused words.

Type: Student Center Activity

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade poetry unit using the book Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art by Belinda Rochelle. This poetry unit addresses genre, main idea, tone, theme, author's purpose, and figurative language. The unit concepts are supported through a student packet, which includes worksheet activities and graphic organizers.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade novel unit on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The unit incorporates instruction relating to the novel's setting, characters, plot, and theme - as well as the basic elements of fantasy fiction. The student packet that accompanies the unit provides some additional structure for the lesson content.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Maniac Magee 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade unit on the novel Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Graphic organizers, charts, comprehension and vocabulary worksheets, and authentic collaborative activities are used to enhance interaction with the novel. Several concepts are pursued, including theme, conflict, relationships, plot, and characters.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Virtual Manipulative

Online Practice of Words with Multiple Meanings:

These online activities ask students to explore the use of words with multiple meanings. There are two sample worksheets provided on building vocabulary and remembering new words. In addition, there is a video on multiple meanings. Students will enjoy this online practice!

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades K-5

Adages and Proverbs: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Meet Melvin the Magician! When you’re dealing with magic, things are not always as they appear. That’s what makes magic fun! Similarly, when you’re working with adages and proverbs, things are also not always as they appear. Melvin will never reveal the secrets to his magic tricks, but he will reveal the secret to figuring out what adages and proverbs mean. Learn how to recognize adages and proverbs and explain their meaning.

Idioms: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Learn how to recognize idioms and explain their meanings as you complete this interactive, magic-themed tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

Adages and Proverbs: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Meet Melvin the Magician! When you’re dealing with magic, things are not always as they appear. That’s what makes magic fun! Similarly, when you’re working with adages and proverbs, things are also not always as they appear. Melvin will never reveal the secrets to his magic tricks, but he will reveal the secret to figuring out what adages and proverbs mean. Learn how to recognize adages and proverbs and explain their meaning.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Idioms: Revealing Hidden Meanings:

Learn how to recognize idioms and explain their meanings as you complete this interactive, magic-themed tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.