Figurative Language
Anchor Charts, Activities & Resources
Make figurative language come alive with anchor charts, hands-on organizers, PowerPoint lessons, and student art projects designed for upper elementary classrooms.
Make figurative language come alive with anchor charts, hands-on organizers, PowerPoint lessons, and student art projects designed for upper elementary classrooms.
This anchor chart covers four core types of figurative language with definitions, examples, and simple illustrations that help students connect the concept to a visual image. Encourage students to create their own examples and illustrations — the act of drawing a metaphor or simile is one of the most effective ways to cement understanding.
A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
"Joe is a nut when he tells jokes."
A comparison using "like" or "as."
"Joe swam like a fish."
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
"The moon smiled down at Joe."
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or humor.
"Joe carries the weight of the world on his shoulders."
A partner game that gives students practice identifying figurative language and using context clues. Print and play — no prep required.
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A foldable graphic organizer paired with 45 sentence cards drawn from Peter Pan — each card contains a figurative phrase students identify and analyze.
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A complete mini lesson on puns including a teaching video, digital organizer, and printable version. A great standalone lesson or addition to a figurative language unit.
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Seven activities using winter poems to identify rhyme schemes, figurative language, and poetic elements. Works well for differentiated instruction across ability levels.
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A blog post covering biblical, literary, historical, and mythical allusions with classroom activities. A strong companion to any figurative language unit.
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Explore the figurative devices behind classroom humor — irony, sarcasm, understatement, and more — with activities and examples students will actually enjoy.
Read Blog PostLouis Sachar's novel Holes has been a classroom favorite since 1998 and made its way to the big screen in 2003. These four PowerPoint lessons weave figurative language into the Holes unit using the film's musical moments as a hook for each device.
The files are editable with no security locks — feel free to customize them for your classroom, swapping out song references for tracks your students will recognize today. All four PowerPoints are bundled in one zip file.
One of the most effective ways to check for understanding is to have students draw a literal interpretation of a metaphor or simile. These student examples show the range of creativity that emerges from a simple prompt.
