English Language Arts · 6th Grade

Active learning ideas

Writing with Figurative Language

Students need active practice to move beyond recognizing figurative language to creating it with precision. When students generate their own comparisons, personifications, and metaphors, they internalize how figurative language sharpens meaning and evokes emotion. These activities shift the cognitive load from passive identification to active craft, which research shows strengthens both comprehension and composition skills.

• Common Core State Standards
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3.d
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5.a

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Metaphor Speed Round

Present students with five abstract concepts (fear, hope, boredom, belonging, change). Students have two minutes to write a metaphor for each, aiming for originality over perfection. Pairs share their best one and explain why they chose that comparison. The class votes on the most surprising or effective metaphor from each pair, then discusses what makes the winning comparisons work.

Design a metaphor that effectively conveys a complex emotion.

Facilitation Tip

During the Metaphor Speed Round, limit responses to 10 seconds to push students toward instinctive, vivid comparisons rather than overthinking.

What to look for

Present students with a short paragraph containing several examples of figurative language. Ask them to identify each instance, label the type of figurative language used (simile, metaphor, personification), and explain what it means in their own words.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 35 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Figurative Language Upgrade

Groups receive a flat, literal paragraph describing a scene or emotion. Their task is to rewrite it using at least four different types of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole) without changing the essential information. Groups then compare their versions and evaluate which figurative choices are most effective and why.

Construct a descriptive paragraph using at least three different types of figurative language.

Facilitation Tip

In the Figurative Language Upgrade, provide colored pencils so students can physically mark changes and see the effect of each revision.

What to look for

Students exchange paragraphs they have written that incorporate figurative language. Provide a checklist for peer reviewers: Did the writer use at least two different types of figurative language? Is the figurative language clear and easy to understand? Does it make the writing more interesting? Peers provide one specific suggestion for revision.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• RAFT Writing
• 30 min · Pairs

Writing Workshop: Cliche Replacement Lab

Provide a list of ten common clichéd expressions. Students work individually to replace each with an original figurative expression that communicates the same idea in a fresher way. They then share their replacements with a partner who rates each on a scale of 1-3 for originality and effectiveness, with a brief justification for each rating.

Critique the effectiveness of figurative language in a peer's writing.

Facilitation Tip

For the Cliché Replacement Lab, display a word bank of fresh verbs and adjectives to help students move beyond tired phrases.

What to look for

Ask students to write one original metaphor that describes their current mood or a feeling they have experienced. They should also write one sentence explaining why they chose that particular comparison.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Gallery Walk
• 35 min · Whole Class

Gallery Walk: Peer Critique of Figurative Paragraphs

Students post their descriptive paragraphs that incorporate figurative language. During the walk, peers use a star-and-question sticky note system: a star for the most effective figurative expression and a question asking the writer to explain one choice. Writers review the responses and write a brief reflection on which feedback they found most useful.

Design a metaphor that effectively conveys a complex emotion.

Facilitation Tip

During the Peer Critique Gallery Walk, post sentence stems to guide feedback, such as 'This metaphor works because…' or 'I’m unsure about…'.

What to look for

Present students with a short paragraph containing several examples of figurative language. Ask them to identify each instance, label the type of figurative language used (simile, metaphor, personification), and explain what it means in their own words.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with short, focused exercises that build confidence before tackling longer pieces. Use mentor texts where figurative language is sparse but powerful, so students see that less can be more. Teach students to test comparisons on peers first, since a comparison that confuses one listener is likely to confuse readers. Avoid over-correcting early drafts; instead, help students identify where figurative language clarifies or intensifies meaning, then expand from there.

By the end of these activities, students will produce original figurative language that is both accurate and evocative. They will explain how each device enhances clarity or intensity, and they will revise based on peer feedback to improve impact. Successful learning is visible when students can justify their choices and recognize when figurative language works—and when it doesn’t.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Metaphor Speed Round, some students may assume that more figurative language is always better.

  Stop the activity after 2 minutes and ask students to read their favorite metaphor aloud. Discuss: Does it clarify or intensify the idea? If not, it may need cutting. Have students cross out weaker comparisons and keep only the strongest ones.

• During Collaborative Investigation: Figurative Language Upgrade, students may think a figurative expression can mean anything they want.

  Have students swap their revised paragraphs with a partner. Partners must explain the metaphor or simile in their own words. If a partner cannot follow the comparison, the writer must revise it to make the relationship clearer and more grounded.

• During Writing Workshop: Cliché Replacement Lab, students may treat similes and metaphors as interchangeable.

  Ask students to take one cliché and rewrite it first as a simile, then as a metaphor. Compare the two versions: Which feels more assertive? Which feels more illustrative? Discuss how the choice changes the tone and impact of the writing.

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Methods used in this brief

• Think-Pair-Share
• Inquiry Circle
• RAFT Writing
• Gallery Walk