5 Figurative Language Activities for the Library

Figurative language can be one of the hardest concepts for our students, especially younger ones, to understand. To grasp and use figurative language effectively, our students must learn to think beyond the concrete. That’s why exposing them to figurative language often and in a variety of ways is so essential. Today, I’m sharing figurative language activities that will make it easier for your students to connect with figurative language while making it a seamless addition to your library lessons.

What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language uses ordinary words and phrases in a way that goes beyond their literal meaning. Often, what is said isn’t exactly what is meant, which can throw our students for a loop!

For example, if you say, “I’ve said that a million times,” you don’t literally mean a million. You mean that you’ve repeated yourself a lot. For our students who take things literally, expressions like this can be confusing and make comprehension tricky.

To help our students better understand figurative language, it’s important to provide clear explanations and multiple examples. You might use the phrase, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” and discuss how “flies” in this context doesn’t mean literal flight but rather a sense of time passing quickly. Breaking these expressions down for our students helps them make connections and builds their confidence in interpreting figurative language in both spoken and written forms.

Why is Figurative Language Important?

Figurative language adds depth and richness to both reading and writing. Without it, stories might feel flat or less vivid. When our students understand figurative language, they can better grasp the author’s intent and meaning. This is a critical skill for reading comprehension. Being able to include figurative language in their own writing helps our students express themselves more creatively and effectively.

Figurative language is also an essential part of connecting to literature. It allows our students to visualize scenes, feel emotions, and engage with the text more deeply. That’s why providing our students with ample practice opportunities is so important.

How To Bring Figurative Language Into the Library?

As librarians, we have a unique opportunity to reinforce what our students learn in the classroom. By incorporating figurative language activities into library lessons, we can help our students make connections between figurative language and the books they’re reading. Below are some simple ways to get started!

1. Read Alouds

When reading stories during library time, you might already discuss characters, themes, or main ideas. Why not add figurative language to the mix? Use mentor sentences from the text to highlight examples like similes, metaphors, or idioms. Ask your students what these phrases mean and why the author might have used them.

For example, while reading Charlotte’s Web, you might highlight the line, “The crickets sang in the grasses,” and discuss how this personification brings the scene to life. Then, encourage your students to think of other examples of personification in the story or their own lives.

2. Independent Work

Set up a station with figurative language worksheets or task cards. These activities are perfect for independent practice while you work with a group of students or complete book check-out. My Figurative Language Worksheets include engaging, scaffolded activities that help our students break down different types of figurative language, from hyperbole to onomatopoeia.

You can also provide matching games where you have students pair phrases with the type of figurative language they represent. For example, matching “It’s raining cats and dogs” to idioms or “The sun smiled down on us” to personification.

3. Writing Activities

Encourage your students to use figurative language in their own writing. Provide sentence frames or mentor sentences to help them get started. For example, after discussing metaphors, have your students describe an image using their own metaphors. My worksheets include spaces for them to apply what they’ve learned in a creative and meaningful way.

You might also try an activity where your students draw a scene and write descriptive sentences using figurative language to describe their artwork. This combines visual and written expression, making the concept more tangible.

4. Independent Reading

Ask your students to note examples of figurative language they come across in their library books. They can jot down the phrase, its meaning, and why they think the author included it. This reinforces the idea that figurative language enhances storytelling.

To take this activity further, you can create a figurative language “bingo” challenge where your students mark off different types of figurative language they find in their books. Motivate them by offering small prizes or extra library time.

5. A Ready-to-Go Resource (or 27)

The Figurative Language Worksheets and Posters cover seven types of figurative language. There are a total of 27 activities designed to help your students practice and apply their skills. Each worksheet includes clear definitions, examples, and practice opportunities.

The posters are another great addition. I display these around the library to give students quick visual reminders of key figurative language concepts. The similes poster might include examples like “She’s as busy as a bee” or “He’s as brave as a lion.” These can inspire during writing activities or as reference tools when your students encounter similes in their reading. They’re perfect for creating a figurative language corner or station.

If you prefer a digital option, my Figurative Language Activities for Google Slides provide the same great content in an interactive format. You can have your students complete activities online, making it a flexible option for blended or remote learning.

The Impact of These Figurative Language Activities

My Figurative Language activities stand out because they are engaging. Each type of figurative language is introduced with a definition and example. They are followed by activities that gradually build in complexity. This ensures that our students stay challenged without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, the variety of activities keeps things fresh and fun!

You can easily use these, whether working with small groups, running centers, or planning independent workstations. They can fit seamlessly into any library setting. They’re also a great way to support classroom instruction while making library time interactive and meaningful.

Why Figurative Language Activities Make a Difference

By bringing figurative language activities into the library, we can better support our students’ reading comprehension and writing skills. The more we expose our students to figurative language, the easier it will become for them to recognize and use it confidently. From enhancing their creativity to improving their understanding of texts, these activities make a lasting impact. Let’s start making figurative language fun, accessible, and a regular part of library time!

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