Free figurative language and idioms activities
9 free activities · no sign-up
Figurative language says one thing and means another: “it’s raining cats and dogs”, “time flies”, “nice job” said after a spill. A student who takes language literally can miss the point of a conversation or a story, and these boards practice working out what the speaker really means from the context.
There are sets for elementary students and for teens, including idioms teens actually hear, figurative language in song lyrics and media, and sarcasm. Drawing the literal meaning of an idiom next to its real meaning is a quick way to show the gap between the two.
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All 9 activities
Grades 3–5
- Idioms FlashcardsCommon idioms with picture clues.
- Idioms: Elementary SetCommon classroom and family idioms, chosen because they are heard before they are taught.
- Sincere or Sarcastic? Do the Words Fit the Situation?Seven things people say, each with what just happened. The student uses the situation to decide whether the speaker means it.
- What Do They Really Mean? Hints and Indirect RequestsSeven hints and indirect requests. The student works out what the speaker actually wants.
Grades 6–8
- Figurative Language: Metaphor, Simile, Hyperbole, PersonificationName the device and then explain what it actually means -- labeling alone is not comprehension.
- Idioms Teens Actually HearFigurative expressions from classrooms, group chats and locker rooms, not from a 1980s workbook.
- Idioms Teens Hear: Choose the MeaningFigurative expressions from group chats, hallways and locker rooms, not from a 1980s workbook.
- Visualize the Idiom: Literal Picture, Real MeaningDraw the literal image, then state the figurative meaning -- the contrast is what makes the idiom stick.
Questions
- Should I teach idioms one at a time?
- Teach a few at a time, but put most of the effort into the strategy: use the context to work out the meaning, then check it. A student with a strategy can handle an idiom they have never met before.
- How does sarcasm relate to figurative language?
- Sarcasm is non-literal too: the words say one thing, and the tone and the situation say the opposite. The sincere-or-sarcastic board asks the student to compare the words with the situation to decide.
- How do I choose a figurative language set?
- Ask what the student wants to understand: song lyrics, jokes with friends, a novel for English class. Then choose the set that fits. Each activity page lists its grade band, from third grade to high school.
Keep the data from every board
With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal. Assign any board as home practice through the parent portal.
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