The brown bag teacher
{a figurative language story}
Read the story, “Grandma’s Garden”
Circle any types of figurative language
you find in the story.
Lay out the figurative language puzzle pieces.
These pieces highlight 8 types of figurative
language – simile, metaphor, idiom,
alliteration, onomatopoeia, cliché,
personification, hyperbole.
Make the 8 puzzles! Match each type of
figurative language with its definition and an
example from the story.
Write your answers on the recording log.
Grandma’s Garden
The townspeople say Grandma’s flowers were the most
exquisite flowers in the entire world! It was only once in a
blue moon that the flowers did not bloom. Grandpa used
to tell me all about her work. He would say, “The rose
bushes seemed to spread their petals as visitors passed. The
purple petunias sat mocking the irises that were not as colorful as usual.
Towering above the other plants, the sunflowers were a fence protecting
the geraniums. Stooping to the ground, Sarah [grandma] would smell the
sweet, scarlet flowers. When people gawked at her garden there was little
noise and Grandma would stand as proud as a peacock. Occasionally, a
bee’s buzzing would break the silence and then, the giggles of children
would echo through the neighborhood.”
As he continued, Grandpa’s face would change. Instead of
recalling fond memories, his face would become sad as he
remembered the day Grandma’s heart was broken.
“At that time there were lots of children in the neighborhood
and they loved racing down our long street. On the last day of
summer, the children were having their final race. The winner
would become the best runner of the summer. So focused on
winning the race, the children sprawled out all over the road
and into people’s yards. That’s when it happened. The
neighborhood children came barreling towards Grandma’s
flowers. Grandma’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the
children trample her beautiful daises. Her heart was heavy
with sadness, and the roses wept for their smashed friends.
With most of her flowers folded over, only time would tell if
the flowers would survive.”
Grandma’s Garden
The townspeople say Grandma’s flowers were the most
exquisite flowers in the entire world! It was only once in a
blue moon that the flowers did not bloom. Grandpa used
to tell me all about her work. He would say, “The rose
bushes seemed to spread their petals as visitors passed. The
purple petunias sat mocking the irises that were not as colorful as usual.
Towering above the other plants, the sunflowers were a fence protecting
the geraniums. Stooping to the ground, Sarah [grandma] would smell the
sweet, scarlet flowers. When people gawked at her garden there was little
noise and Grandma would stand as proud as a peacock. Occasionally, a
bee’s buzzing would break the silence and then, the giggles of children
would echo through the neighborhood.”
As he continued, Grandpa’s face would change. Instead of
recalling fond memories, his face would become sad as he
remembered the day Grandma’s heart was broken.
“At that time there were lots of children in the neighborhood
and they loved racing down our long street. On the last day of
summer, the children were having their final race. The winner
would become the best runner of the summer. So focused on
winning the race, the children sprawled out all over the road
and into people’s yards. That’s when it happened. The
neighborhood children came barreling towards Grandma’s
flowers. Grandma’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the
children trample her beautiful daises. Her heart was heavy
with sadness, and the roses wept for their smashed friends.
With most of her flowers folded over, only time would tell if
the flowers would survive.”
EXAMPLE
The townspeople
say Grandma’s
flowers were the
most exquisite
flowers in the
entire world!
DEFINITION
an exaggeration
used to make or
prove a point
IDIOM
EXAMPLE
It was only once
in a blue moon
that the flowers
did not bloom.
DEFINITION
a word or phrase
that means
something other than
what is actually
being said
DEFINTION
when two or more
words begin with
the same initial
sound
EXAMPLE
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the
sweet, scarlet
flower.
DEFINITION
a phrase or
expression that is
overused
HYPERBOLE
EXAMPLE
With most of her
flowers folded
on the ground,
only time would
tell if the flowers
would survive.
DEFINTION
giving human
characteristics to
inanimate things
ALLITERATION
EXAMPLE
The roses wept
for their
smashed friends.
CLICHE
PERSONIFICATION
ONOMATOPOEIA
EXAMPLE
…a bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
DEFINITION
words that
make sounds
SIMILE
EXAMPLE
Grandma would
stand as proud
as a peacock.
DEFINTION
a comparison of
unlike things using
‘like’ or ‘as’
METAPHOR
EXAMPLE
Towering above
the other plants,
the sunflowers
were a fence
protecting the
petunias.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things that
says something is
another thing
Name:
Date:
GRANDMA’S GARDEN
Below are examples of 8 types of figurative language. Write the type of
figurative language in the top puzzle piece and define it in the small puzzle piece.
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the
sweet, scarlet
flower.
The roses
wept for their
smashed
friends
With most of her
flowers folded
over, only time
would tell if the
flowers would
survive.
The townspeople
say Grandma’s
flowers were the
most exquisite
flowers in the
entire world!
Grandma would
stand as proud
as a peacock.
It was only
once in
a blue moon
that the
flowers did not
bloom.
Towering above
the other plants,
the sunflowers
were a fence
protecting the
petunias.
… a bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
Name:
ANSWER KEY
Date:
GRANDMA’S GARDEN
Below are examples of 8 types of figurative language. Write the type of
figurative language in the top puzzle piece and define it in the small puzzle piece.
ALLITERATION
Stooping to the
ground, Sarah
smelled the
sweet, scarlet
flower.
DEFINTION
when two or more
words begin with
the same initial
sound
CLICHE
With most of her
flowers folded
over, only time
would tell if the
flowers would
survive.
DEFINITION
a phrase or
expression that is
overused
PERSONIFICATION
The roses
wept for their
smashed
friends
HYPERBOLE
The townspeople
say Grandma’s
flowers were the
most exquisite
flowers in the
entire world!
SIMILE
Grandma would
stand as
proud as a
peacock.
DEFINTION
a comparison of
unlike things using
‘like’ or ‘as’
METAPHOR
Towering above
the other plants,
the sunflowers
were a fence
protecting the
petunias.
DEFINITION
a comparison of
unlike things that
says something is
another thing
DEFINTION
giving human
characteristics to
inanimate things
DEFINITION
an exaggeration
used to make or
prove a point
IDIOM
It was only
once in
a blue moon
that the
flowers did not
bloom.
DEFINITION
a word or phrase that
means something
other than what is
actually being said
ONOMATOPOEIA
The bee’s
buzzing would
break the
silence.
DEFINITION
words that
make sounds
Thank you for downloading this product. I hope you and your
students find these puzzles helpful! If you have any questions,
comments, or concerns, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]
Blog: www.thebrownbagteacher.blogspot.com
TPT: Catherine Reed—The Brown Bag Teacher
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