CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b

ELA4th GradeVocabulary Acquisition and Use

The Standard

Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify common expressions that mean more than their individual words suggest. They explain each expression in plain language and use context to support their meaning.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students explain familiar expressions in clear, literal language. They use context clues to choose the intended meaning and can use the expression correctly in a new sentence.
Common Misconceptions: Students may read “spill the beans” or “hold your horses” literally. They may guess from one word instead of using the full phrase and its context.
How to Assess It: Give an exit ticket with “spill the beans,” “better late than never,” and “actions speak louder than words.” Students explain each phrase in their own words.

Lesson moves

Give pairs phrase cards and meaning cards to match, then have them justify each match with a sample sentence.
Ask students to write about a time when “practice makes perfect” applied to something they learned.
Play idiom charades using cards such as “under the weather,” while classmates name and explain each expression.
Have students collect one expression from a family member, book, show, or advertisement and explain its intended meaning.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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