Why Teach Figurative Language?
Why Teach Figurative Language?
Explicitly teaching figurative language helps learner communicate. Using figurative language in everyday conversations is something we as adults take for granted, but students need to be exposed to different idioms, hyperbole, metaphors and similes to understand what they mean.
Mastering figurative language helps children become better writers and speakers. The use of figurative language gives students an opportunity to play with words, bringing personality and flair to their writing.
Using mentor texts provides models and is a wonderful way to expose students to figurative language.
Prepare Before Teaching Figurative Language
Prior to teaching a figurative language lesson to my class, I went in search of a mentor text that included: Hyperbole, metaphor, simile, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for in our school library. I grabbed my computer and started writing. It wasn't a complete story at this point. If you have read other Classy Gal blog posts, you know that I eventually finished the book and it was a process! "Ronin's Snowman" is available on Amazon as an eBook or paperback. It is a great teaching tool for a 5th grade figurative language lesson. The accompanying worksheets on TPT will be free for a limited time. They seamlessly link a mentor text (Ronin's Snowman: A Fable Fabulously Full of Figurative Language) with student writing.
Ronin's Snowman: A Fabulous Fable Full of Figurative Language
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