Figurative Language and Connotation
A 40-minute Grade 5 lesson on the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including similes, metaphors and what a word suggests.
Figurative Language and Connotation is a free 40-minute Grade 5 English lesson plan for Common Core standard RL.5.4 — work out what words mean here, including metaphors and similes. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 5
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- RL.5.4
Grade 5 · Reading: Literature
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.
Objective
Students will be able to explain what a word choice suggests beyond its literal meaning.
Students are successful when they can
- Gives the literal meaning.
- Gives what the word suggests.
- Says what a neutral alternative would have lost.
What you need
- A text with loaded word choices
- Neutral synonym cards
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — same denotation, different feel
5 min- Give three word pairs meaning the same thing. Rank each pair by feel.
- Name what makes one warmer or colder.
Teach — substitute and listen
13 min- Find a loaded word in the text. Give its literal meaning.
- Say what it suggests as well.
- Substitute a neutral synonym and read the sentence again.
- Name what was lost. That loss is the connotation.
- Do the same with a metaphor, where the whole comparison carries the suggestion.
“Swap in the plain word and read it. What you no longer feel is what the original was doing.”
Guided practice — four substitutions
12 min- Pairs substitute neutral synonyms for four loaded words.
- For each they name what was lost.
- They find one word where the neutral version is actually better.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the word-meaning page.
- The passage is on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Take one substitution and what was lost.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Gives only the literal meaning.
Why: That is what defining a word has meant.
Fix: Two answers required: what it means and what it suggests.
Says a word 'sounds better' with no content.
Why: The effect is felt but not analysed.
Fix: The substitution test. Naming the loss forces the analysis.
Assumes all loaded words improve a text.
Why: Vivid language is usually praised.
Fix: Find one where neutral is better. Overloading is a real fault.
If they are not there yet
- Two substitutions rather than four.
- Give the neutral synonym.
If they finish early
- Find a word whose connotation shifts across the text.
- Rewrite a paragraph with the connotations reversed.
- Find a metaphor whose suggestion contradicts the plot.
Exit ticket
What does this word mean, and what does it suggest? Substitute a neutral word and say what is lost.
What to look for: Both meanings plus a named loss. A literal definition alone means the two-answers rule needs restating.
Printable practice for RL.5.4
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Figurative Language in a TextRead the text, then answer the questions.
Questions about Figurative Language and Connotation
How long does the Figurative Language and Connotation lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Figurative Language and Connotation teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4 — RL.5.4, Reading: Literature for Grade 5: “Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.” In plain terms, work out what words mean here, including metaphors and similes.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
A text with loaded word choices, neutral synonym cards and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: gives only the literal meaning; says a word 'sounds better' with no content and assumes all loaded words improve a text. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “What does this word mean, and what does it suggest? Substitute a neutral word and say what is lost.” Both meanings plus a named loss. A literal definition alone means the two-answers rule needs restating. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Figurative Language and Connotation?
Yes — 1 printable RL.5.4 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Figurative Language and Connotation free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to RL.5.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.