CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5
The Standard
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Language
What This Standard Means
Students need to recognize when words are not meant literally, explain common figures of speech, and use context to sort out shades of meaning. They also need to compare words with related meanings, like annoyed, angry, and furious, and choose the best word for a purpose.
Mastery looks like explaining why an author chose a word or phrase, not just defining it. Students often get stuck taking idioms literally, treating synonyms as exact matches, or missing tone. They may know a word’s basic meaning but not its strength, feeling, or fit in a sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students idiom cards and literal picture cards, then have them match each idiom to its real meaning and explain the clue.
- Ask students to rank five related words, such as whisper, talk, shout, scream, and bellow, from weakest to strongest.
- Use a one-minute exit ticket: explain the meaning of one figurative phrase from today’s reading and name the clue that helped.
- Bring in headlines, ads, or song lyrics, and have students find one nonliteral phrase and rewrite it in plain language.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.