Metaphor Word Lists

Teaching Metaphor Practice

Metaphors may not be as obvious as similes, but they are commonly used in both written and spoken English. Therefore, lesson plans that utilize a list of metaphors for practice should focus on explicit instruction on how to identify and interpret a metaphor. VocabularySpellingCity provides K-12 teachers with grade level metaphor word lists for kids, interactive metaphor practice games and free printable worksheets to supplement metaphor lesson plans.

Metaphors and similes are often taught together in the second grade. Students are later tested on the figurative language concepts in the third grade. Elementary students learn to differentiate between the two: both metaphors and similes are comparisons, but while a simile describes a person or object as being like something else, a metaphor says a person or object actually is something else. Students can often identify metaphors by comparing the figurative meaning to the literal meaning.

In middle and high school, students are expected to interpret metaphors in context, such as prose or poetry, and analyze their role in the text. The intention of similes and metaphors leads the way to lessons on connotations and denotations as students interpret similes and metaphors in context. Students in grades 6-12 can use VocabularySpellingCity’s Paragraph Writing Practice as a metaphor practice game to use metaphors in text. Students may also use Paragraph Writing Practice to write their own metaphors from word lists for kids.

A possible extension activity for students in grades 4-12 is a music metaphor medley. Many popular lyrics use metaphors, such as the hit song Firework by Katy Perry (“Baby, you’re a firework”) or the classic tune Hound Dog made famous by Elvis Presley (“You ain’t nothing but a hound dog”). Students may be assigned to search for metaphors in age-appropriate music and interpret what the artist is trying to express. Later, students may present clips of the songs and their interpretations to the class to showcase the value of the metaphor practice exercise.

Common Core State Standards Related to Metaphors

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5.a
Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5.a
Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5.a
Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances, in word meanings.