CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5

ELA6th GradeVocabulary Acquisition and Use

The Standard

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards

What This Standard Means

Students need to notice when words are not meant literally, explain what common figures of speech mean, and use context to sort out shades of meaning. They also need to compare words with similar meanings, like stingy, careful, and thrifty, and explain why one fits better than another.

Mastery looks like choosing precise words and explaining the choice with evidence from the sentence or passage. Students often get stuck by translating figurative language word by word, treating synonyms as interchangeable, or missing tone. They need repeated practice with short, clear examples before applying the skill in longer texts.

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs idiom cards and literal picture cards, then have them match each idiom to its real meaning and sketch a new example.
Ask students to explain which word best fits a character, brave, reckless, or confident, using one line from the text.
Show three related words and one sentence frame, then have students choose the best word and explain their choice in ten words.
Have students collect three ads, song lyrics, or sports headlines that use figurative language, then rewrite each in plain language.