Figurative Language in Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Q: What are some examples of figurative language in Fish in a Tree?

Fish in a Tree uses many types of figurative language, including similes like “Teachers are like the machines that take quarters for bouncy balls,” metaphors such as “I turn myself to stone,” and personification like “The guy’s smile falls off of his face.” These examples add vivid imagery and help readers connect with the characters’ emotions.

Q: How do you teach figurative language using Fish in a Tree?

To teach figurative language with Fish in a Tree, have students find and illustrate examples from the text, discuss what each means, and identify its type (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.). Activities like scavenger hunts or storyboards make the learning interactive and engaging.

Q: What types of figurative language are used in Fish in a Tree?

Fish in a Tree features similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and onomatopoeia. These devices help the author express characters’ feelings and create powerful imagery for readers.

Q: Why is figurative language important in Fish in a Tree?

Figurative language brings the story to life by making descriptions more vivid and helping readers empathize with the characters. It deepens understanding of the themes and emotions in Fish in a Tree.

Q: What is a simple classroom activity for exploring figurative language in Fish in a Tree?

Try a storyboard activity where students illustrate and explain three examples of figurative language from the book. This helps them identify language types and understand their meanings in context.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

The author uses many different types of figurative language throughout the story. Some 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 Fish in a Tree. 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 Fish in a Tree

Page 2: “Teachers are like the machines that take quarters for bouncy balls. You know what you’re going to get. Yet you don’t know, too.” (Simile)
Page 9: “I need attention like a fish needs a snorkel.” (Simile)
Page 12: “It’s like my chair is over a trapdoor and there is a button to drop myself.” (Simile)
Page 19: “Three words that hold sadness like a tree holds leaves.” (Simile)
Page 20: “Shay and Jessica stare at us like two cats watching birds in a cage.” (Simile)
Page 33: “The guy’s smile falls off of his face.” (Personification)
Page 38: “Everyone scrambles to their seats, but I’m still lying on the imaginary train tracks. All tied up and watching the engine come around the corner.” (Metaphor)
Page 40: “I turn myself to stone.” (Metaphor)
Page 84: “It’s like asking a blind man to drive a bus.” (Simile)
Page 134: “I stand and walk toward him like the floor will swallow me up.” (Personification)
Page 146: “I feel like a fish in a wire cage rather than a tank.” (Simile)
Page 151: “When Mr. Daniels looks in her direction, she stops like she has an on/off switch. When he looks away, she laughs at Albert again.” (Simile)
Page 187: “I try not to cry, I really do, but the tears leak from my eyes.” (Personification)
Page 191: “I realize that dealing with Shay everyday is like playing chess. She is always looking for your weakness, always trying to get you flustered and force you into a mistake. Against her, the board is always changing and moving. Keep your eyes open. Be careful.” (Simile)
Page 192: “But no matter what, don’t give up. Because, every once in a while, a pawn becomes a queen.” (Metaphor)

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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, illustrating and describing 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.

Blank 3-Cell Storyboard Template by Storyboard That

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

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Student 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.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Examples of Figurative Language from Fish in a Tree

Page 2: “Teachers are like the machines that take quarters for bouncy balls. You know what you’re going to get. Yet you don’t know, too.” (Simile)
Page 9: “I need attention like a fish needs a snorkel.” (Simile)
Page 12: “It’s like my chair is over a trapdoor and there is a button to drop myself.” (Simile)
Page 19: “Three words that hold sadness like a tree holds leaves.” (Simile)
Page 20: “Shay and Jessica stare at us like two cats watching birds in a cage.” (Simile)
Page 33: “The guy’s smile falls off of his face.” (Personification)
Page 38: “Everyone scrambles to their seats, but I’m still lying on the imaginary train tracks. All tied up and watching the engine come around the corner.” (Metaphor)
Page 40: “I turn myself to stone.” (Metaphor)
Page 84: “It’s like asking a blind man to drive a bus.” (Simile)
Page 134: “I stand and walk toward him like the floor will swallow me up.” (Personification)
Page 146: “I feel like a fish in a wire cage rather than a tank.” (Simile)
Page 151: “When Mr. Daniels looks in her direction, she stops like she has an on/off switch. When he looks away, she laughs at Albert again.” (Simile)
Page 187: “I try not to cry, I really do, but the tears leak from my eyes.” (Personification)
Page 191: “I realize that dealing with Shay everyday is like playing chess. She is always looking for your weakness, always trying to get you flustered and force you into a mistake. Against her, the board is always changing and moving. Keep your eyes open. Be careful.” (Simile)
Page 192: “But no matter what, don’t give up. Because, every once in a while, a pawn becomes a queen.” (Metaphor)

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, illustrating and describing 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 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

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

Figurative Language in a Story

	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.

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How Tos about Figurative Language in Fish in a Tree

Engage students with a figurative language anchor chart

Create a colorful anchor chart for figurative language types. Display similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and onomatopoeia with student-friendly definitions and examples from Fish in a Tree. Refer to the chart during reading to reinforce learning and spark class discussions.

Model finding figurative language during a read-aloud

Read a passage aloud and pause when you encounter figurative language. Think aloud as you identify the type and discuss its meaning. This modeling helps students learn to spot and interpret figurative language independently.

Guide students in collaborative figurative language hunts

Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a chapter or set of pages. Challenge them to find and record figurative language examples, type, and literal meaning. Share findings with the class to build a comprehensive list together.

Incorporate figurative language into creative writing

Invite students to write a short scene or description using at least two types of figurative language studied. Encourage creativity and peer sharing. Highlight how figurative language enhances writing and understanding.

Use figurative language exit tickets for quick assessment

Ask students at the end of class to write one example of figurative language from today’s lesson and explain its meaning. Collect these exit tickets to quickly gauge understanding and identify students who may need extra support.

Frequently Asked Questions about Figurative Language in Fish in a Tree

What are some examples of figurative language in Fish in a Tree?

Fish in a Tree uses many types of figurative language, including similes like “Teachers are like the machines that take quarters for bouncy balls,” metaphors such as “I turn myself to stone,” and personification like “The guy’s smile falls off of his face.” These examples add vivid imagery and help readers connect with the characters’ emotions.

How do you teach figurative language using Fish in a Tree?

To teach figurative language with Fish in a Tree, have students find and illustrate examples from the text, discuss what each means, and identify its type (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.). Activities like scavenger hunts or storyboards make the learning interactive and engaging.

What types of figurative language are used in Fish in a Tree?

Fish in a Tree features similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and onomatopoeia. These devices help the author express characters’ feelings and create powerful imagery for readers.

Why is figurative language important in Fish in a Tree?

Figurative language brings the story to life by making descriptions more vivid and helping readers empathize with the characters. It deepens understanding of the themes and emotions in Fish in a Tree.

What is a simple classroom activity for exploring figurative language in Fish in a Tree?

Try a storyboard activity where students illustrate and explain three examples of figurative language from the book. This helps them identify language types and understand their meanings in context.