Tuned In to Figurative Language
Learning Goal: Students will:
- Understand that they can find elements of figurative language in songs they hear every day
Prerequisite Skill:
- A basic understanding of figurative language and how it is used in writing
Procedure:
- Hook - "I was listening to this song on the radio and noticed something fascinating about the lyrics."
- Pass out the lyrics to "Firework" by Katy Perry and play the song. Have students follow along, reading the lyrics while song plays.
- Ask if they noticed anything. Introduce figurative language in relation to the song.
- Pass out the Reference Sheet for students to use. Review terms in figurative language if necessary.
- Explain task - "As a class, we will underline the lyrics that represent certain forms of figurative language". Ex. we will underline all similes in yellow.
- Pass out colored pencils.
- Ask for volunteers to identify figurative language in the lyrics. Use the pre-highlighted lyrics as a guide. Do not expect the figurative language students find to match the guide exactly. Students might find something the teacher did not catch.
- Wrap up - Encourage students to always be "tuned in" to figurative language, especially when listening to music. Ask for examples they might have from songs they like. Present poster: "Tuned in to Figurative Language". Explain that whenever they hear figurative language in music, they can write the lyrics, song title, and artist on an index card and stick it on the poster. Display the poster throughout the year and keep tuning in.
Click here to listen to "Firework" by Katy Perry on YouTube