This figurative language lesson on irony includes a free organizer and digital resources. Upper elementary students will love these fun activities. This lesson covers the definition with examples appropriate for 4th–6th graders.
Definition
Irony is a difference or contrast between expectations and realities in a circumstance.
Irony is often only recognized well after an original statement or occurrence since it usually takes current events to realize the previous remark was completely wrong.
Irony Examples
Example 1:
Otto Lilienthal, the creator of a flying glider, was killed by his invention after declaring that it was one of the safest travel methods.
Example 2:
A homeowner spends a year getting his home ready to sell, only to sell it to a developer who decides to tear it down to build condos.
Example 3: From The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy, the Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow search all over Oz to find courage, a way to get home, a heart, and brains, only to discover that Dorothy and her friends already have the things they are looking for.
Example 4: Kudzu
In the 1930s, the U.S. government paid workers to plant Kudzu, a vine native to Asia, over one million acres of the United States to help prevent soil erosion. The vine overgrew that it killed trees and plants, hurting instead of helping preserve nature.
Example 5: From the Movie Titanic
Rose: Mr. Andrews, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned… forgive me, but it seems that there are not enough for everyone aboard.
ANDREWS: About half, actually. Rose, you miss nothing, do you? In fact, I put in these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats here.
But it was thought… by some… that the deck would look too cluttered. So I was overruled.
CAL: Waste of deck space as it is, on an unsinkable ship!
This scene from the movie Titanic is a perfect example of irony because the audience knows the “Titanic” will sink, and people on the sinking ship will need the lifeboats.
Free Irony Activities
Free Mini Lesson on Irony: Includes a Video, Slides, and Printable
Introduction to Irony:
This lesson introduces students to irony and serves as a fun vocabulary-building exercise for upper elementary and middle school students.
Interactive Learning:
Students begin by watching a video explaining the definition and providing irony examples. They then pause the video to complete a digital or printable organizer. Afterward, they resume the video to check their responses, reinforcing their understanding of irony.
Classroom-Friendly:
These activities are designed as individual lessons, making them perfect for assigning through Google Classroom. This setup ensures students can work independently and revisit the material as needed.
Check out the lesson video here. Be sure to get the handout first. It contains the organizer that goes with the video.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Activity #1: The Gift of the Magi
The Gift of the Magi tells the heartwarming story of a young married couple who sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts for their spouses. It makes a beautiful mini-unit to teach during the Christmas season. The twist ending is ironic, as both gifts end up being worthless.
The Gift of the Magi is an excellent example of irony. Check out this free unit from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Activity #2: Song Ironic
Have students watch Alanis Morissette’s music video for Ironic.
Activity #3: TED-Ed Blog Post
TED-Ed Blog provides a lesson with YouTube videos that explain more about irony.
Activity #4: Interactive Irony Wall
Create an “Irony Wall” in your classroom where students can anonymously share examples of irony they encounter outside of class. This can help create a collaborative and engaging environment for discussing irony.
Activity #5: Irony in Disney Films
Introducing students to the concept of irony can be a fun and engaging experience, especially when using examples from popular films. Showing a short film clip or movie scene that contains irony not only helps students understand this literary device but also allows them to see how irony contributes to the overall theme or message of the film. This activity encourages critical thinking and analysis as students identify the ironic elements and discuss their significance.
Below are some classroom-friendly examples of film clips that demonstrate irony, perfect for engaging students in discussions about storytelling and literary techniques.
“The Lion King”
Show the scene where Scar tells Simba to run away and never return, thinking he has won. The irony is that Scar’s actions ultimately lead to his downfall, as Simba returns to reclaim his rightful place as king.
“Toy Story”
Show the scene where Woody and Buzz are trapped at Sid’s house. The irony is that Buzz initially believed he was a real space ranger, learns the truth about himself, and finds a new sense of purpose as a toy.
“Finding Nemo”
Show the scene where Marlin, who is overprotective of his son Nemo, gets separated. The irony is that Marlin’s fears of losing Nemo come true because of his own actions.
“Shrek”
Show the scene where Shrek rescues Princess Fiona, only to discover that she turns into an ogre at night. The irony is that Fiona’s outward appearance does not match her true self, challenging stereotypes about beauty and appearance.
“Wreck-It Ralph”
Show the scene where Ralph, the “villain” of the game, ultimately becomes the hero by sacrificing himself to save the game. The irony is that Ralph, who is expected to be the bad guy, ends up being the most heroic character in the story.
In summary, irony is a powerful literary device. It’s not just a fancy word. Irony spices up language, making students’ writing more creative and exciting. By exploring examples ranging from historical events to popular culture, students can develop a keen awareness of irony’s impact and its role in storytelling.
Utilize the free mini-lesson with its video, slides, and printables to introduce and reinforce these concepts in your classroom. The additional activities and resources in the blog post will further enrich your teaching. Here’s to successful teaching moments in which students grasp the concept of irony and appreciate its subtleties in language and narrative!
Check out the entire series on figurative language.
See the product that inspired this post.
The video lesson on irony is a sample from Figurative Language Digital + Printable Video Lessons & Organizers.