Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Identifying and Understanding Figurative

Language
Content Area: Language Arts

Name: Demi Nguyen

Grade Level: 8

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

CA Content Standard: Students interpret figures of speech (e.g., verbal irony, puns) in context.
Common Core Standards:

Language
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.5.A
Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
Speaking & Listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics,
texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.5
Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.
Reading: Literature
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of
specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

Students will identify different types of figurative language and understand how these devices enrich communication

Students will evaluate a piece of writing to determine its theme, meaning, and authors purpose through his/her use of figurative
language

Students will create their own examples of different types of figurative language

Unit Summary:

What is figurative language? It is language that uses words and expressions that contains meaning that is different from its literal definition.
When someone is using literal language, they mean exactly what they are saying. But when someone is using figurative language, they are
using words in ways that is different from their literal meaning in order to achieve a heightened effect or give the reader a deeper
understanding.
Students will be taking notes on the various types of figurative language and using those notes to help them create their own examples. In
order to show understanding of those devices and the context in which they appear, students will also be creating a story board and tell a
story in which their characters use figures of speech. As a final assessment, students will prove their understanding by identifying different
figures of speech as they appear in literary excerpts.
In this unit, students will be asking themselves the following questions:

How will I choose the appropriate type of figurative language to create the image I want to communicate?

How does identifying and understanding figurative language help us interpret an author's meaning and purpose, and as a result, help
us identify and connect to themes in literature?

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Quickwrite- What do you think is the
difference between figurative language and
literal language?

Formative:
Quiz- Simile, metaphor, personification,
hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia
(identification)

Summative:
Test- comprehensive test of all types of
figurative language (ID. Fill-in-the-blank,
example creation, analyzing FL in text/poetry)

Differentiation Chart- Simile vs. Metaphor

Poster Project- illustrating examples of

figurative language and comparing literal
meaning

Flashcards- effects of each type of figurative

language
Quiz- Simile, metaphor, personification,
hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia
(example creation)
Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:
Students will learn
the definitions of
different types of
figurative language
and use the
definitions to create
their own example.

Acceptable Evidence
(Assessments):
Students will respond
to a quick write
independently before
sharing answers with
the class. Class
discussion of the
quick write and as
well as discussion
during lecture will
allow the instructor to
gauge students prior
knowledge and
understanding of the
material.

Lesson Activities:
Students will begin with a quick write that asks what they think the difference
between figurative language and literal language is. Students will also be asked to
provide an example of figurative language that might show up in their daily life.
After students have completed the quick write, they will be asked to share with a
partner before reconvening and starting a class discussion. After discussion, the
instructor will begin walking students through a figurative language presentation
lecture while they follow along and take notes on the provided hand outs. The
instructor will guide class discussion throughout the presentation.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students will
complete a webercise
and create flash cards
that emphasize the
effects of each type of

Lesson Activities:
Students will begin class with a quiz to refresh their memory on what was learned
the previous day. Afterwards, the instructor will model and guide students as they
complete the differentiation chart in order to emphasize and clarify the differences
between simile and metaphor. Once completed, students will be directed to Quizlet,
where they will each make their own set of figurative language effects flash cards;

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:
Students are able to
understand the
effects that each type
of figurative language

creates and how it

contributes to
meaning.

figurative language.

these flashcards will be used for study in class and at home. Finally, the instructor
will direct students to the webercise. The instructor will model the first few
questions to show students how to complete the activity as well as lay out
expectations. Students will work on this independently in class as the instructor
walks around to monitor and answer questions. Any unfinished questions will be
assigned as homework.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students will fill out a
graphic organizer and
quote from the text.

Lesson Activities:
Students will begin class with a quiz that will ask them to create examples for each
type of figurative language covered in this unit. Once everyone has completed the
quiz, the instructor will give the class 7 minutes to review their Quizlet flashcards.
Afterwards, the instructor will direct students to the graphic organizer assignment
in which students will be required to reread The Tell-Tale Heart. Students will be
quoting and identifying figurative language in the story and explaining its effect and
how it contributes to the overall meaning of the text. Any devices not found in the
story will be written on the back and be accompanied by the students own example.
The teacher will answer questions and model an example on the projector and go
over the rubric with the class. Any unfinished portions will be assigned as
homework.

Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective: Students can
identify different types
of figurative language in
literature and
understand the effect it
creates.

Unit Resources:
Figurative Language Chart
Figurative Language-Definitions and Quiz
Figurative Language in Movies

Useful Websites:

Literary Devices: Figurative Language

E-Reading Worksheets: Figurative Language

1. Time For Kids | Figurative Language Flashcards Test yourself! Use these flashcards and identify the different similes, metaphors,
hyperboles, and more to achieve figurative language mastery.
2. Orpheus The Lyrical Adventure with Orpheus to earn coins and face monsters...all while testing your figurative language knowledge.
3. Quizlet | Figurative Language A set of cards that defines all the different types of figurative language. In addition to studying with

flashcards, take a quick quiz or train yourself by matching examples to their correct types.
4. Figurative Language Jeopardy You can be the contestant in this online game where you can dentify the different types of figurative
language as similes, metaphors or personification.
5. Figurative Language Study Guide This comprehensive study guide covers simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, alliteration,
onomatopoeia and also includes passages in which students are to identify figurative language.
6. Idiom Site An alphabetical list containing commonly used idioms and their meanings.
7. Metaphor Quiz Check your metaphor knowledge with then 10 question quiz!
8. Prezi | Figurative Language This is a great presentation that gives an overview of different types of figurative language. Included are
video clips that demonstrate these different types as well as poems to serve as examples.
9. Grade or No Grade? This is an interactive game that is the figurative language version of Deal or No Deal. You are playing this game
against the examiners--you have to get the highest possible grade. The examiners will offer you a deal at the end of each round.
Answer the first question to get started--each correct answers gives you the chance to select an envelope!
10. Simile, Metaphor, or Personification? Can you tell the difference? Read the sentence, then decide if it is a simile, metaphor, or
personification.