You will learn
- Identify figurative devices.
- Explain literal and figurative meaning.
- Explain the effect.
- Use devices in writing.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Spot the phrase.
- Say the literal meaning.
- Say the figurative meaning.
- Explain the effect.
Words to know
words used in a non-literal way for effect
a phrase whose meaning is not literal
extreme exaggeration for effect
giving human qualities to non-human things
1. Discover: The market after rain
Kemi writes: “The market was a beehive. The sun smiled down on us. I was so hungry I could eat a whole goat. Everyone said I had to break the ice with the new stall owner.”
“A beehive” is a metaphor for a busy place. “The sun smiled” is personification. “Eat a whole goat” is hyperbole. “Break the ice” is an idiom: start a friendly conversation.
Think: What effect does each phrase create?
2. Understand: Words that mean more than they say
Idea 1: Figurative language
Figurative language uses words in a non-literal way for effect.
Idea 2: Types
Simile and metaphor compare. Personification gives human qualities to things. Hyperbole exaggerates. An idiom has a fixed non-literal meaning.
Idea 3: Effect
Explain the literal meaning, the figurative meaning, then the effect on the reader.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Metaphor
What was the market compared to?
- Beehive.
Answer: a beehive, showing it was busy
Example 2 (We do it together): Idiom
What does break the ice mean?
- Start talking.
Answer: start a friendly conversation
Example 3 (You try): Hyperbole
Is eat a whole goat literal?
Show the steps and answer
- No.
Answer: no, it is exaggeration for effect
Did you know?
Many idioms are hundreds of years old and still used every day.
Why this matters
Understanding figurative language deepens reading and enriches writing.
4. Explore: Figure it out
Interpret phrases.
- Choose four phrases.
- Name each device.
- Write the literal and figurative meanings.
- Explain the effect.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can interpret figurative language.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- This is a ___ because ___.
- Literally it means ___.
- Figuratively it means ___.
- The effect is ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. Words used in a non-literal way are ___ language.
figurative
Question 2. A phrase with a fixed non-literal meaning is an ___.
idiom
Question 3. Extreme exaggeration is ___.
hyperbole
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Words used in a non-literal way are ___ language.
- A phrase with a fixed non-literal meaning is an ___.
- Extreme exaggeration is ___.
- Giving human qualities to things is ___.
- The market was a ___.
Level 2: Grow
- What does the sun smiled show?
- What does break the ice mean?
- What does a beehive suggest?
Level 3: Stretch
- Is hyperbole literal?
- Can an idiom be understood word for word?
- Does figurative language add effect?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write four sentences, each using a different kind of figurative language.
Show a sample answer
four sentences
Another one. Find an idiom a family member uses and explain its figurative meaning.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can identify figurative devices.
- I can explain literal and figurative meaning.
- I can explain the effect.
- I can use devices in writing.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Spot the phrase.
- Say the literal meaning.
- Say the figurative meaning.
- Explain the effect.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Contextual meaning. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is figurative language? [1 mark]
- Name and explain the device in the sun smiled. [2 marks]
- What does break the ice mean? [1 mark]
- Explain what hyperbole is. [2 marks]
- Explain how to interpret a figurative phrase. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- words used in a non-literal way for effect [1]
- personification [1]; giving human qualities to the sun [1]
- start a friendly conversation [1]
- extreme exaggeration [1]; used for effect [1]
- spot the phrase [1]; give the literal and figurative meaning [1]; explain the effect [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Words used in a non-literal way are ___ language.
- A phrase with a fixed non-literal meaning is an ___.
- Extreme exaggeration is ___.
- Giving human qualities to things is ___.
- The market was a ___.
- What does the sun smiled show?
- What does break the ice mean?
- What does a beehive suggest?
- Is hyperbole literal?
- Can an idiom be understood word for word?
Homework
Find an idiom a family member uses and explain its figurative meaning.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Words used in a non-literal way are ___ language. | figurative | 1 |
| 2. A phrase with a fixed non-literal meaning is an ___. | idiom | 1 |
| 3. Extreme exaggeration is ___. | hyperbole | 1 |
| 4. Giving human qualities to things is ___. | personification | 1 |
| 5. The market was a ___. | beehive | 1 |
| 6. What does the sun smiled show? | personification | 1 |
| 7. What does break the ice mean? | start a friendly conversation | 1 |
| 8. What does a beehive suggest? | a busy place | 1 |
| 9. Is hyperbole literal? | no | 1 |
| 10. Can an idiom be understood word for word? | no | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 figurative; 2 idiom; 3 hyperbole; 4 personification; 5 beehive. Level 2: 1 personification; 2 start a friendly conversation; 3 a busy place. Level 3: 1 no; 2 no; 3 yes.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Identify figurative devices | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Explain literal and figurative meaning | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Explain the effect | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use devices in writing | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: identify figurative devices; explain literal and figurative meaning; explain the effect; use devices in writing.
Prerequisite knowledge. Multiple-meaning words.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 6 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core L.6.5 (demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings); Cambridge Primary English Stage 6 (figurative language). These sources informed the lesson.