Figurative Language Magic

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 6 pupils and is Lesson 4 in the 24-lesson unit Setting the Scene. It develops pupils’ understanding and use of figurative language, specifically similes and metaphors, to enhance descriptive writing about settings. Pupils will explore how these devices enrich imagery and mood, aligned precisely with the English National Curriculum requirements for Years 5 and 6.

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National Curriculum Links

Reading – Comprehension (Year 6):

• Understand figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
• Appreciate how language choices affect meaning and style.

Writing – Composition (Year 6):

• Use expanded noun phrases and figurative language to add detail, interest and precision when describing settings.
• Plan, draft and write with a clear awareness of purpose and audience.

Spoken Language (across KS2):

• Articulate ideas and explain thoughts clearly through discussions and presentations.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

1. Clearly define and identify similes and metaphors in written texts.
2. Analyse how similes and metaphors enhance descriptions of settings.
3. Create their own figurative language sentences to vividly describe a setting.
4. Begin to incorporate figurative language into their descriptive writing.

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Resources

• Whiteboard / Interactive whiteboard
• Projector or printed extracts from descriptive texts containing similes and metaphors (e.g., poetry, prose excerpts)
• Visual stimulus images of varied settings (e.g., forest, stormy sea, busy market)
• Worksheets with example sentences and space for pupils’ own writing
• Figurative language prompt cards
• Mini-whiteboards and pens for each pupil

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Lesson Activities

Starter (5 minutes)

• Quick recap quiz: Using mini-whiteboards, pupils write down what differentiates a simile from a metaphor.
• Teacher models examples: Simile: “The lake was as smooth as glass.” Metaphor: “The lake was a mirror.”
• Clarify definitions using simple language from the National Curriculum glossary.

Introduction – Understanding Figurative Language (10 minutes)

• Present 2-3 carefully chosen short extracts with rich similes and metaphors describing settings (e.g., a stormy night).
• Pupils highlight or underline similes and metaphors in the text.
• Group discussion: How do these phrases change or enhance our mental picture of the setting?
• Link back to NC: Emphasise how such language adds layers of meaning.

Main Activity – Create and Share (20 minutes)

• Display varied setting images. Pupils choose one and use prompt cards that suggest sensory words and emotions.
• Task: Write 2 sentences describing the setting — one using a simile, one using a metaphor.
• Teacher circulates, scaffolding with sentence starters ("The trees stood like...," "The night was a..."). Encourage precise and imaginative word choices.
• Pupils share their sentences aloud, receiving peer and teacher feedback focused on vivid imagery and clarity.

Plenary – Reflect and Review (10 minutes)

• Pupils discuss: How might adding similes and metaphors change a story’s mood or help the reader imagine the setting better?
• Write a quick ‘exit slip’ on mini-whiteboards: one example each of a simile and a metaphor learned today.
• Collect responses to assess understanding.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of pupil participation and oral responses.
• Review of pupils’ written similes and metaphors for creativity, accuracy, and enhancement of description.
• Exit slip mini-whiteboards used to evaluate grasp of definitions and use.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters and word banks; allow oral responses to scaffold writing.
• Challenge: Encourage pupils to experiment with extended metaphors or multiple similes in one sentence.
• EAL: Use visuals and concrete examples to clarify abstract figurative concepts.

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Next Steps

• Lesson 5 will focus on personification and how it further animates setting descriptions, building on today’s metaphor and simile foundation.

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise the creativity and fun in using figurative language; encourage risk-taking with imaginative descriptions.
• Ensure phrases are age-appropriate and grounded in familiar contexts to avoid confusion.
• Integrate technology (e.g., use online thesauruses or digital whiteboard) if available to inspire varied vocabulary.

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This lesson harnesses National Curriculum standards while incorporating interactive and creative approaches to deeply embed figurative language skills necessary for confident, rich descriptive writing.