There are many examples of figurative language present throughout the novel Inside Out and Back Again. In this activity, students will identify figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, etc. and illustrate the examples from the text.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies figurative language such as similes, metaphors or personification found in Inside Out and Back Again. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Set up student storyboards or illustrations around the room for a gallery walk. Invite students to walk, observe, and jot down examples and meanings of figurative language they see. This encourages peer learning and sparks engagement.
Pair up students to exchange their figurative language examples and explain their interpretations to one another. This builds understanding and helps students see multiple perspectives on figurative language.
Work as a class to design anchor charts that list and define similes, metaphors, personification, and more. Post these charts in your classroom for easy reference during reading and writing activities.
Challenge students to create original similes, metaphors, or personification based on their own experiences. Share and celebrate these examples to reinforce creative thinking and comprehension.
Give students a short, targeted quiz using sentences from the novel or new examples. Ask them to identify the type of figurative language used. This checks mastery and guides your next steps for instruction.
Inside Out and Back Again features rich figurative language, such as similes and metaphors. Examples include “Like laundry being wrung dry” (simile), “Hovering like a blanket” (simile), and “like clusters of eyes, wet and crying” (simile), all of which help convey emotion and vivid imagery in the text.
To teach figurative language with this novel, have students identify similes, metaphors, or personification within the text. Ask them to create storyboards illustrating each example, then write short descriptions explaining their meaning and effect.
The novel contains similes (comparisons using 'like' or 'as'), metaphors (direct comparisons), and personification (giving human traits to non-human things). These devices create vivid mental images and deepen readers' emotional connections.
Figurative language helps readers understand the protagonist’s feelings and experiences on a deeper level. It adds emotional depth, paints powerful images, and makes complex events more relatable for middle school students.
A simple lesson: (1) Read selected passages, (2) Have students highlight figurative language, (3) Create visual representations or storyboards, (4) Write brief explanations, and (5) Share and discuss as a class to reinforce understanding.