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Teaching Figurative Language in 8th Grade

8th Grade figurative language instruction in ela bridges foundational skills and advanced application. Middle school students are developing analytical thinking and can engage with complex problems, real-world scenarios, and cross-curricular connections.

Figurative Language mastery in 8th grade is essential for success in high school ela and beyond. This is where students transition from learning foundational concepts to applying them in increasingly complex contexts.

Teaching Strategies for 8th Grade Figurative Language

  • 1Introduce one figurative language type at a time with abundant examples from literature, songs, and advertisements.
  • 2Create an anchor chart for each type (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, idiom, alliteration) with student-generated examples.
  • 3Have students find figurative language 'in the wild' — in books, songs, commercials, and conversations.
  • 4Connect figurative language to writing: once students can identify it, challenge them to use it purposefully in their own pieces.

Common 8th Grade Figurative Language Standards & Skills

A middle school figurative language lesson plan typically addresses skills like:

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs
Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context
Use figurative language effectively in writing

8th Grade Figurative Language Activity Ideas

Figurative Language Playlist

find examples of figurative language in popular song lyrics and classify each one.

Literal vs. Figurative Illustrations

draw the literal and figurative meaning of idioms (it's raining cats and dogs).

Figurative Language Dice

roll a die to get a type, then write a sentence using that device.

Commercial Analysis

watch TV ads and identify persuasive use of figurative language.

Assessment Ideas for 8th Grade Figurative Language

  • Identification quiz — name the type of figurative language used in given sentences.
  • Interpretation assessment — explain what figurative expressions mean in the context of a passage.
  • Exit ticket: write one simile and one metaphor describing the same thing.
  • Creative writing piece intentionally using at least three types of figurative language, labeled by the student.

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