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
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students interpret figures of speech and explain meanings that go beyond the literal words. They compare related words, including synonyms, antonyms, and words with different shades of meaning.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students explain what a nonliteral phrase means in context and identify clues that support their interpretation. They compare related words and choose one that fits the intended tone or degree.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may interpret idioms and metaphors literally. They may treat close synonyms as interchangeable, missing differences in intensity, tone, or context.
How to Assess It
- Give students the sentence, “After missing the bus, Lena trudged home.” Ask them to explain “trudged” and compare it with “walked.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have students sort phrase cards into literal and nonliteral groups, then illustrate one phrase from each group.
Ask students to compare “confident,” “proud,” and “arrogant,” then write which word best describes a given character and why.
Play a synonym scale game where teams arrange word cards, such as “cool,” “cold,” and “freezing,” from weakest to strongest.
Collect slogans, headlines, or song lyrics and have students explain how figurative wording or connotation shapes the message.
Free download
Printable CCRA.L.5 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.