Figure It Out! Figurative Language
Congratulations on your purchase of the Really Good Stuff
Figure It Out! Figurative Language, a fun game that provides
practice in analyzing figurative language phrases.
Meeting Common Core State Standards
The Really Good Stuff Figure It Out! Figurative Language
aligns with the following English Language Arts Standards:
Craft & Structure
Anchor Standard 4 Interpret words and phrases as they are
used in a text, including determining technical, connotative,
and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices
shape meaning or tone.
RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they
are used in a text, including figurative language such as
metaphors and similes.
This Really Good Stuff product includes:
•6 Text Cards
•30 Figure It Out! Learning Deck Cards™
•1 Spinner
•1 Types of Figurative Language Reference Card
•3 Two-Sided Answer Key Cards
•1 Dry Erase Score Card
•1 Center Task Card
•This Really Good Stuff Teaching Guide
The ability to understand figurative language represents a high
level of fluency. Figure It Out! Figurative Language challenges
students to interpret figurative phrases in the context of
short reading passages. This important practice will increase
students’ comprehension and enjoyment of texts.
Managing Figure It Out! Figurative Language
• Visit our Web site www.reallygoodstuff.com to download
Really Good Stuff Teaching Guides.
• Display the Center Task Card.
• Provide a dry erase pen for the Score Card.
• Along with the Spinner, the Reference Card, the Score
Card, and a dry erase pen, have students work with one
matching-colored set (e.g., blue-bordered Text Card, blue
Figure It Out! Learning Deck Cards and Answer Key Card)
at a time. If they play a second round of the game, they
should switch to another color.
• Demonstrate how to tidy the center when the activity is
complete.
• Store the center materials in the bag, and hang it
alongside other Centers-in-a-Bag.
An option in the game is to name the types of figurative
language for extra points. At this level, students should know
the words simile and metaphor, but they might not yet know
or have memorized the terms personification, hyperbole, or
sarcasm. The most important skill here is interpreting the
language, not labeling it.
Before having students play the game, discuss examples of
figurative language with them. For example, discuss one of the
Text Cards: “They just look at you with that sad frown like a
wet umbrella in the rain.”
Discussion questions and sample responses:
• What are the two things being compared? (A frown and an
umbrella)
• Why compare these two things? (They have a similar shape.)
• What else is similar about the way they are described?
(Rain can make you think of sadness, like crying. A wet
umbrella is more dramatic than a dry one.)
• What sense or senses would you use to experience a wet
umbrella? (Sight and touch)
• What type of figurative language is used in this phrase?
(Simile)
• How do you know it’s a simile? (Two different things are
compared using the word “like.”)
This kind of questioning will help prepare your students to play
Figure It Out!
Introduce the parts of the game. Students prepare by
writing their names on the Score Card and circling the color
associated with the selected text passage (the color of the
card’s border) using a dry erase pen.
They also spread out the
five numbered Figure It Out!
Learning Deck Cards face
down, arranging them so all
the numbers are visible.
Players read the matchingcolored Text Card together (or
each take a turn silently reading
it), then set the card where it
can be seen during the round.
Introducing Figure It Out! Figurative Language
Make sure students understand the difference between literal
and figurative language. Figurative language is a creative
way of describing something by comparing it to something
different. Often, figurative language creatively evokes a sensory
experience. Figurative phrases do not have the usual meaning
of the words that make them up.
All teaching guides can be found online.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference
®
© 2014 Really Good Stuff
®
1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306098
Figure It Out! Figurative Language
Using the Figure It Out! Spinner, the first player spins the arrow
and takes the card with the number spun. Explain that the Go
Wild space on the spinner means he or she can choose any card
from the pile.
The player with the most points wins the round. If there is
time for a second round, players should select a new set of
matching-colored Learning Deck Cards, Text Card, and
Answer Key Card.
Center Task Card
Post this at the literacy center in a visible position.
A student or a helper can refer to the Center Task Card for
instructions. Refer to the shaded section at the top of the
card for center preparation, including needed materials.
Really Good Literacy Center-in-a-Bag
Figure It Out! Figurative Language
The player reads the question aloud, thinks about the context
of the figurative phrase, and gives an answer. During the game,
a player can reread the sentence or the whole passage for help.
He or she may also refer to the Types of Figurative Language
Reference Card. Players may refer to the matching-colored
Answer Key Card if there is any concern that a question
was answered correctly. A correct answer earns one point.
Optional: A player earns an extra point for naming the type
of figurative language used.
Joseph
Farnaz
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
2 students
Object: Interpret figurative language used in a text
passage
Materials: Text Card and matching-colored Figure It Out!
Learning Deck Cards (5) and Answer Key Card, Spinner,
Types of Figurative Language Reference Card, Dry Erase
Score Card, dry erase pen
Directions:
1. Shuffle the Learning Deck Cards and lay them face down
with the numbers showing.
2.On the Score Card circle the color of the text passage
and write the players’ names in the table.
3.A player reads the Text Card aloud and places the card
where both players can see it.
4.Players think about the figurative language phrases in red.
5.Players take turns spinning a number and taking the
Learning Deck Card with that number on the back.
When the spinner lands on Go Wild, the player can
choose any card.
6.The player turns over the card and reads the question.
If the player can answer the question correctly, he or she
earns a point. Optional: The player earns an extra point
for correctly naming the type of figurative language used.
Refer to the Types of Figurative Language Card for help.
Check the answer key for correct answers.
7.Continue taking turns until all the questions have
been answered. The player with the higher score wins
the round.
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© 2014 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306098