#3057. Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt

Literature, level: Middle
Posted Thu Feb 12 08:45:23 PST 2004 by April Ellison (ellisoad@pickens.k12.sc.us).
Liberty Middle School, Liberty, SC
Materials Required: Paper, Pencils, Poetry Books and Poems
Activity Time: 60 minutes
Concepts Taught: Interpreting and Identifying Figurative Language

April Ellison: author

Subject: Language Arts: 8th grade

Lesson:
Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt

SC Objectives and Standards:
Students will be able to analyze and interpret figurative language. 8-R2.6
SWBAT use writing to explain and inform. 8-W2.1
SWBAT use presentation techniques appropriate for audience. 8-C1.1

Materials:
Notebook paper, pencils
Poems or poetry books by various poets (ex. Poetry for Young People)

Procedures:
1. The teacher will review students' concept of figurative language. The class will focus on these five elements:

Simile: comparison using like or as. Ex. Her eyes were like stars twinkling in the sky
Personification: giving human qualities to animals or inanimate objects. Ex. The birds whispered sweet melodies in my ears.
Alliteration: repeated consonant at the beginning of a series of words. Ex. His big beautiful blue eyes beckoned unto me.
Metaphor: direct comparison of two unlike things without using like or as. Ex. She was an angel dancing around the room.
Onomatopoeia: sound words. Ex. Bang, Boom, Pop, Sizzle, Fizz

2. Review and quiz students until clear comprehension is evident. Discuss how figurative language is commonly used in poetry to evoke certain emotions. Read a few poems with good examples in them to the class before beginning the activity. Have students raise their hands when an example of figurative language is recognized. Discuss what the author means in the poem.

3. Divide students into small groups of three or four.

4. Give each group a book of poetry. Have students find at least 2 examples of each: simile, personification, alliteration, metaphor, and onomatopoeia.

5. Students will write the example and the name of the poem, which the line is taken from on their paper. Below the example students will explain what feeling the poet is attempting to convey or what is being compared in the poem.

6. Groups may share their discoveries with the rest of the class when the activity is completed.

Conclusion / Review: The teacher will review these specific elements of figurative language with class The teacher will remind students that figurative language is used in poems and a variety of other literary works by authors to make their writing more interesting and evoke certain emotions.

Assessment:
The teacher will informally evaluate students based in class participation, reading, and responses to class discussion. The teacher will evaluate students' poetry examples and explanations for acceptable responses.