Figurative Language Workshop


Figurative language is everywhere — in the books students read, the songs they hum, and the jokes they tell. This hub brings together foundational devices like metaphor and idiom, the wisdom of adages and proverbs, the music of sound devices, and the sharper edges of irony, sarcasm, and allusion — all in one place.

Figurative Language Workshop
4th–6thGrade Level
12Lessons Included
L.4–6.5CCSS Focus Strand
Anchor Charts, Video, + PrintableFormat
Figurative Language Workshop

What You'll Learn

Across this workshop, you'll be equipped to teach students to:

identify metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole in text
interpret the figurative meaning of common idioms
understand the wisdom behind adages and proverbs
recognize alliteration, rhyme, onomatopoeia, assonance, and consonance
explore advanced devices like allusion, irony, sarcasm, and malapropism
create original figurative language in their own writing
Interactive ActivityA free digital game or activity — no printing required.
🃏 Boom Learning DeckFree preview shows a few cards; the full deck is free with a Boom Learning account.
Companion Blog PostA related post with extra background, examples, or bonus ideas.
Start Here

Foundational Devices

Four anchor-chart webpages covering the devices students meet first — metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, idioms, adages, proverbs, and sound devices.

Metaphor, Simile, Personification, and Hyperbole
Metaphor, Simile, Personification & Hyperbole
Bring figurative language to life with anchor charts, mentor texts, organizers, and student art projects. This resource introduces metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole with clear examples, visual supports, and hands‑on activities for upper elementary readers.
Idioms
Idioms
Help students understand figurative vs. literal meaning with illustrated idioms, anchor charts, games, and organizers. Visuals, foldables, Boom cards, and a free mini‑lesson make tricky expressions memorable, engaging, and easy to practice independently.
Adages and Proverbs
Adages & Proverbs
Teach students the wisdom behind classic sayings with anchor charts, illustrated examples, and hands‑on organizers. Activities include flip books, themed tabbed booklets, matching games, and a free foldable that builds comprehension and critical thinking.
Sound Devices
Sound Devices
Help students hear the music in language with anchor charts and activities on onomatopoeia, alliteration, and repetition. Poems, commercials, and pop‑culture examples make sound devices fun, memorable, and easy to spot across texts.

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Gay Miller