A Mango-Shaped Space Figurative Language Activity

Activity Overview

The author uses many different types of figurative language throughout the story. Some other examples of figurative language that are used are similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and onomatopoeia. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate three examples of figurative language in A Mango-Shaped Space. Teachers may want to give the students a list of examples, or have them do a “scavenger hunt” either as they read, or as an activity after reading.

Examples of Figurative Language from A Mango-Shaped Space

Page 29: ”The thunder fills the air with streaks of charcoal-black spirals, and for a split second I think they’re trying to pound me into the ground.” (Personification)
Page 44: ”Roger’s sobs, however, are loud and clear and as blue as a swimming pool.” (Simile)
Page 50: “I’m viewing her through a jumble of colors that come together like lumpy oatmeal.” (Simile)
Page 57: “The bubbling up inside me has gotten too strong. I can feel it rising to the surface. Bubble, bubble, simmer, fizz, and BOOM!” (Onomatopoeia)
Page 60: “This conversation has taken an unexpected turn, and my head is going back and forth like a Ping-Pong ball.” (Simile)
Page 69: “I keep glancing at my mother, but she is wearing her just-be-patient face.” (Personification)
Page 75: “I lie down on the bed and let the silence seep into me like a cool breeze.” (Personification)
Page 110: “But if I couldn’t use my colors, the world would seem so bland - like vanilla ice cream without the gummy bears on top.” (Simile)
Page 197: “A sigh of relief escapes my lips.” (Personification)
Page 227: “My head is swimming and I feel like I am going to pass out.” (Personification)

Copy Activity*

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that illustrates and describes three examples of figurative language in the text.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Write the type of figurative language in the heading.
Write the example and page number in the description box. In addition, write what the author is intending to say, or the literal meaning.
Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, and items.
Save and exit when you're done.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/6/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone

Copy Activity*

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Figurative Language in a Story

Create a storyboard that shows three examples of figurative language from the story: metaphors, similes, personification, etc. Include the type of figurative language in the title box along with the quote from the story. In the description box describe what the figurative language means in the context of the story. Add appropriate illustrations for each.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Examples of Figurative Language	There are three examples of figurative language.	There are two correct examples of figurative language.	Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct.
Types of Figurative Language	All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other) in the title box.	Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other).	Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other).
Illustrations	Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc.	Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story but are unclear or incomplete.	Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen.
Descriptions	There are descriptions for all three example of figurative language that correctly explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story.	One of the descriptions is missing or the descriptions do not fully explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story.	Two or more descriptions are missing or they do not explain what the figurative language means.