NY Next Generation ELA 5L5.a
The Standard
Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, within context. They identify the comparison and explain how it develops an image, idea, mood, or description.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student states the literal things being compared and the intended shared quality. The student uses surrounding details to explain why the comparison matters in that passage.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may restate the comparison without interpreting it or choose a possible similarity unrelated to context. They may label any sentence containing like or as a simile.
How to Assess It
- Give students a simile and metaphor in short passages. Ask them to explain each comparison, cite context, and state the effect on meaning.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Match comparison cards with shared-quality and context cards, then explain how each figure shapes meaning.
Ask, ‘Why describe the hallway as a river, and which qualities does the passage emphasize?’
Play Figurative Fit by selecting the interpretation that matches both the comparison and its context.
Interpret similes and metaphors in a song review or sports article and explain their descriptive effects.
Free download
Printable 5L5.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5L5.a, 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
- 7L5.a
Interpret figurative language, including allusions, in context.
- 9-10L5a
Interpret figures of speech, including euphemism and oxymoron, in context and analyze their role in the text.
- 6L5.a
Interpret figurative language, including personification, in context.
- 8L5.a
Interpret figures of speech including irony and puns in context.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson