Figurative Language Inside Out and Back Again

ALuv {in 3rd class} is one of those learners who needs explicit didactics in order to truly get it, especially with vocabulary or figurative linguistic communication. And that's okay by me. I love the extra claiming of helping the light seedling come on. Information technology keeps me on my toes {and knees}. Just recently, we did a text hunt through books looking for figurative language and I'm thrilled to share about it today.

*This post contains chapter links.

What Exactly is Figurative Language?

Figurative language is using words and expressions in a style that cannot be taken literally or that entreatment to 1 or more of the v senses. I'm taking you back to grade school here, aren't I? At that place are more examples in the free printable pack, which can be establish at the Finish of this download, but some common examples of figurative linguistic communication include:

• simile – He is every bit large as a truck. OR He is big, like a truck. {compares two objects using like or every bit}
• metaphor– He is a truck! {compares two objects without using like or as}
• personification– The sand tickled my toes.
• idioms– It's raining cats and dogs. OR Yous have to hold your mouth merely correct.

Why Does Figurative Language Need to Exist Taught?

In that location are several reasons figurative linguistic communication needs to be taught. The first, and about important to me, is that understanding figurative linguistic communication directly affects the reader's comprehension. I believe this understanding affects comprehension in two ways. First, if a reader doesn't empathize figurative linguistic communication (that information technology isn't to be taken literally), the author'south meaning is completely missed by the reader. Secondly, authors use figurative language often to appeal to the 5 senses. We want readers to apply the language to help them engage with the text and actively read past visualizing what they are reading about. Merely put, using the figurative linguistic communication helps them to enjoy what they're reading.

The 2d important reason figurative language needs to exist taught is that it helps them become amend writers. Understanding the arts and crafts of figurative language, why an writer uses it, can help them in their ain writing. Figurative linguistic communication tin help writers portray a stronger message to the reader. This, in plough, can give our piddling writers a stronger vocalism as a writer themselves.

Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt through Text

While my son  and I talked briefly nigh the term figurative language and what information technology meant equally I introduced the topic, I wanted this lesson to be more of a tangible introduction so that he could configure his own meaning that would make sense for him.

Nosotros used the text Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. If you're looking for more texts that feature figurative language, I take a book list towards the terminate of this post.

1. First, I read Owl Moon aloud so we could enjoy information technology and so that his comprehension of the story was solid.

When using any text to teach a comprehension skill, it is of import to read the text all the manner through first. If you are reading a longer text, such as a affiliate book, just read the portion of text y'all'll be using for your lesson. Why read start? Because the next sections of the lesson "chop" the text up besides much, which tin crusade comprehension to endure if information technology's not read as a whole starting time.

ii. I introduced the graphic organizer and explained its purpose. I chose the simpler graphic organizer, labeled Extraordinary Text and Ordinary Text. I told him we would be going back through the book to come across if nosotros could find places where the author using boggling language to explain something. There are more graphic organizers in the free pack below.

iii. I modeled it for him. I turned to the showtime page and re-read it aloud. When I got to the text about the copse standing like giant statues, I said, "Hmmm. I know that trees aren't actually behemothic statues. What is the author actually telling me?"

ALuv just listened at this point.

"I think the author is actually trying to say that the copse didn't move. They were very still. That's sure is an interesting style to say it, don't you think?

"I'1000 going to write down what the text says right there in this column that says Extraordinary Text considering I think that'south a pretty extraordinary way to say that the trees didn't move." I copied the text straight from the book for that column.

"And what the author is really trying to say is that the trees didn't move. They were still. So the author could accept merely said, 'The trees did not move.' I'm going to write that in the Ordinary Text column, because that'southward a pretty ordinary way of saying it."

4. We filled out the chart together. We did this throughout the text, finding extraordinary ways the writer used text {figurative language} and and then writing the ordinary way of maxim it.

I copied the text and then he wrote the "ordinary text" in his ain words. Towards the end of the book, I noticed he was pitching in more with answers, and then I began to turn over more of the responsibility to him. Instead of finding the figurative language for him, I asked him to read and notice information technology.

5. Nosotros wrapped it upwards. When nosotros were finished with our chart, I asked ALuv, "So why do you retrieve authors employ figurative language {extraordinary text}?"

His respond: "Because it makes the states want to read more. It'due south more interesting to us."

I answered, "Absolutely information technology does. I also think that information technology helps us picture show what the author is saying in our caput much easier." He agreed.

This is not the terminal time we'll talk about figurative linguistic communication {far from information technology}. We have a means to become with information technology, but it was a good introduction to pave the path for more talk about text.

Besides included in the gratis pack are Figurative Linguistic communication Cards!

Texts that Teach Figurative Linguistic communication

I'grand including a list of books with figurative language. I've divided the books into ii sections:

ane- texts that teach nigh figurative language and
two- texts that characteristic or naturally integrate figurative language in them.

The books in the first listing are good to use when introducing the concepts of figurative language. About of the texts in the second list work well to utilize with the graphic organizer we used for Owl Moon. Click Hither or on the image below to see all the books in our list.

Download our Figurative Language Learning Pack Here.

~Becky

looneycops1942.blogspot.com

Source: https://thisreadingmama.com/figurative-language-text-hunt/

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