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CCSS ELA Standard: 5.L.5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Antagonyms: Dust, Clip, and Left
Antagonyms: Dust, Clip, and Left
Dust can mean “remove dust” but also “add more dust!”
Super Specific Similes – Strong Uncle
Super Specific Similes – Strong Uncle
Let’s make this simile about a strong uncle even more specific.
Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli
Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli
Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.
Super Specific Similes: Quick Baby
Super Specific Similes: Quick Baby
Let’s make this simile about a quick baby even more specific.
Super Specific Similes: Loud Class
Super Specific Similes: Loud Class
Let’s make this simile about a loud class super specific!
Super Specific Similes: Stinky Seaweed
Super Specific Similes: Stinky Seaweed
Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.
Sets of Idioms Related to Numbers
Sets of Idioms Related to Numbers
Two sets of idioms related to numbers.
Five Sets of Bird and Bug Idioms
Five Sets of Bird and Bug Idioms
Five sets of idioms related to birds (and bugs).
Sets of Idioms Related to Body Parts
Sets of Idioms Related to Body Parts
Five sets of five idioms, all related to body parts!
Sets of Idioms Related to Food
Sets of Idioms Related to Food
Five sets of five idioms, all related to food.
Antonym Paths
Antonym Paths
Does the antonym of an antonym bring us back to the same meaning?
Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite
Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite
Let’s start with “As cold as fire.”
Fancier Figurative Language: Move the Simile
Fancier Figurative Language: Move the Simile
What if we started a sentence with the simile?
Writing Technique: Contrast With Synonyms
Writing Technique: Contrast With Synonyms
A specific technique to help students add some spice to their writing. We’ll be contrasting two ideas using synonyms.
Ambiguous Sentences
Ambiguous Sentences
Rather than just demand that students “write clearly,” we’ll explore the hazards of poorly written sentences… and maybe create one of our own!
Virtue or Vice?
Virtue or Vice?
Aristotle noted that positive traits and negative traits are often the same thing, but just in different amounts. The right amount is a virtue, but too much or too little and it’s a vice.
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
Can students spot similes vs metaphors?
Sets of Idioms
Sets of Idioms
Why do we say ‘break a leg’? Five themed sets of idioms your students will actually remember.
Synonym Graphs
Synonym Graphs
So, which is happiest: happy, joyful, or ecstatic? Which is most temporary?
Fancier Figurative Language: Start with a Cliche
Fancier Figurative Language: Start with a Cliche
We’ll start with the cliché “as cold as ice” and go somewhere much more interesting.