Language and Style · Weeks 19-27

Figures of Speech: Irony, Puns, Personification

Analyzing the use of irony, puns, and personification to enhance descriptive writing.

Key Questions

  1. How does figurative language help a reader visualize abstract concepts?
  2. Why do authors use verbal irony to convey a deeper truth?
  3. What is the relationship between a metaphor and the theme of a text?

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5.a
Grade: 8th Grade
Subject: English Language Arts
Unit: Language and Style
Period: Weeks 19-27

About This Topic

Information and Media Literacy teaches students how to navigate the news in a second language. They learn to identify bias, verify sources, and understand the power of media in shaping public opinion. ' this is a critical life skill. For 8th graders, it's an opportunity to use their language skills to access diverse perspectives that they might not find in English-language media.

This unit aligns with ACTFL Interpretive and Connections standards. It focuses on 'reading between the lines' and identifying the 'who, what, where, when, and why' of a news story. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches like collaborative investigations, where students 'fact-check' a story using multiple sources.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Fact-Checkers

Groups are given a 'sensational' news headline. They must find two other sources in the target language to see if the facts align or if the headline is 'clickbait.'

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups
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Stations Rotation: News Around the World

Stations feature the front pages of newspapers from different countries on the same day. Students identify which stories are 'top news' in each place and why.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups
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Role Play: The Newsroom

Students act as a news team that must decide which three stories to include in their 'nightly broadcast.' They must justify their choices based on what their audience needs to know.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups
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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common MisconceptionStudents may think that if a news story is in a 'real' newspaper, it must be 100% objective.

What to Teach Instead

Every source has a perspective. Comparing how two different countries report on the same event helps students see how 'framing' works.

Common MisconceptionStudents might find news in another language 'too hard' to read.

What to Teach Instead

Focus on 'skimming and scanning' for cognates and key facts. Using 'News for Kids' sites in the target language provides an accessible entry point.

Suggested Methodologies

Trading Cards

Create and exchange character/concept cards

25–45 min

Learn more about Trading Cards

Graffiti Wall

Collaborative writing and drawing on a shared surface

15–30 min

Learn more about Graffiti Wall

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students develop media literacy?
Active learning strategies like 'Mock Newsrooms' or 'Headline Debates' force students to think like producers, not just consumers. When they have to choose which stories are 'important' or 'reliable,' they are practicing critical evaluation. This active engagement helps them recognize the 'tricks' of the trade, like emotional language or biased adjectives, more quickly than if they were just told about them in a lecture.
What are some good target-language news sources for 8th grade?
Look for 'News in Slow [Language]' podcasts or 'Journal des Enfants' style websites that use simpler vocabulary but cover real-world topics.
How do I handle controversial news topics?
Focus on the *process* of reporting rather than the controversy itself. Ask: 'What words did they use?' and 'Whose voice is missing?' rather than 'Who is right?'
How does this connect to Common Core ELA?
It reinforces CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7 by having students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic or idea.

Planning templates for English Language Arts

lesson plan

ELA

An English Language Arts template structured around reading, writing, speaking, and language skills, with sections for text selection, close reading, discussion, and written response.

unit planner

Thematic Unit

Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.

rubric

Single-Point Rubric

Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.

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Punctuation: Commas, Semicolons, Colons

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