CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.4
The Standard
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students find words or short phrases that help readers imagine a sense experience or understand an emotion. They explain what each chosen word makes them picture, hear, smell, taste, touch, or feel.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students select an exact word or short phrase from a story or poem. They tell which sense or emotion it suggests and support their answer with the text.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name their own reaction instead of pointing to a word in the text. They may also choose any describing word, even when it gives no clue about an emotion or sensory detail.
How to Assess It
- Give students a four-line poem. Ask, “Circle one word that helps you imagine a sound, sight, smell, taste, touch, or emotion, then explain your choice.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place word cards from a familiar poem on five senses mats, then have students explain each placement to a partner.
Read a short passage and ask, “Which words help you know how the character feels, and what clues do they give?”
Play Sensory Word Hunt, where pairs highlight sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and emotion clues in different colors.
Have students describe the school cafeteria using one phrase for a smell, sound, sight, texture, and emotion.
Free download
Printable RL.1.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.4, 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 worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Reading: Literature progression map.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other rep...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3d
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3d
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3d
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
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