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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-tiger-rising-by-kate-dicamillo/figurative-language
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
Kate DiCamillo 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 The Tiger Rising. 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 The Tiger Rising
- Page 2: “Fog was hugging the ground.” (Personification)
- Page 3: “Waiting for him like chained and starved guard dogs, eager to attack.” (Simile)
- Page 4: “He made all of his feelings go inside the suitcase.” (Personification)
- Page 24: “The two of them sat apart from it all, as if their seat was an island in the sea of sweat and exhaust.” (Simile)
- Page 35: “Her face was smooth and dark, like a beautiful piece of wood.” (Simile)
- Page 39: “The bus coughed and sputtered and finally roared away.” (Personification)
- Page 46: “Rob felt a familiar loneliness rise up and drape its arm over his shoulder.” (Personification)
- Page 56: “Every night, the house lit up like a constellation, and they were all inside it together, the three of them.” (Simile)
- Page 76: “At three o’clock, the school bus pulled up, belching and gasping and sighing.” (Personification)
- Page 87: “He concentrated on that green. He let it seep through a crack in his suitcase of not-thoughts and fill his head up with color.” (Personification)
- Page 101: “The truth circled over him and above him and then came and landed lightly on his shoulder.” (Personification)
- Page 107: “The tiger stopped pacing and turned to stare at them both clinging like monkeys to the cage.” (Simile)
- Page 121: “The tiny neon Kentucky Star rose and fell and rose and fell, competing bravely with the light of the morning sun.” (Personification)
Template and Class Instructions
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 finished.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
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. |
Lesson Plan Overview
Kate DiCamillo 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 The Tiger Rising. 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 The Tiger Rising
- Page 2: “Fog was hugging the ground.” (Personification)
- Page 3: “Waiting for him like chained and starved guard dogs, eager to attack.” (Simile)
- Page 4: “He made all of his feelings go inside the suitcase.” (Personification)
- Page 24: “The two of them sat apart from it all, as if their seat was an island in the sea of sweat and exhaust.” (Simile)
- Page 35: “Her face was smooth and dark, like a beautiful piece of wood.” (Simile)
- Page 39: “The bus coughed and sputtered and finally roared away.” (Personification)
- Page 46: “Rob felt a familiar loneliness rise up and drape its arm over his shoulder.” (Personification)
- Page 56: “Every night, the house lit up like a constellation, and they were all inside it together, the three of them.” (Simile)
- Page 76: “At three o’clock, the school bus pulled up, belching and gasping and sighing.” (Personification)
- Page 87: “He concentrated on that green. He let it seep through a crack in his suitcase of not-thoughts and fill his head up with color.” (Personification)
- Page 101: “The truth circled over him and above him and then came and landed lightly on his shoulder.” (Personification)
- Page 107: “The tiger stopped pacing and turned to stare at them both clinging like monkeys to the cage.” (Simile)
- Page 121: “The tiny neon Kentucky Star rose and fell and rose and fell, competing bravely with the light of the morning sun.” (Personification)
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 finished.
Lesson Plan Reference
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. |
How Tos about Figurative Language in The Tiger Rising
1
Organize a Figurative Language Gallery Walk
Display student storyboards around the classroom to create a gallery walk. This encourages students to share their work, learn from peers, and see a wide variety of figurative language examples from The Tiger Rising.
2
Assign roles for peer feedback
Give each student a role (such as 'explainer,' 'questioner,' or 'illustrator') during the gallery walk. This helps students focus on specific aspects when reviewing classmates' work and builds collaborative discussion skills.
3
Prompt students to identify the effectiveness of figurative language
Ask students to comment on how each figurative language example affects the mood or imagery of the story. This deepens their critical thinking and understanding of why authors use figurative language.
4
Encourage students to connect figurative language to personal experiences
Invite students to share a time when they noticed similar figurative language in their own reading or writing. This personalizes the learning and fosters meaningful connections with the text.
5
Wrap up with a class reflection discussion
Lead a closing discussion where students reflect on what they learned about figurative language and how it enhanced their appreciation of The Tiger Rising. This helps consolidate understanding and encourages future application.
Frequently Asked Questions about Figurative Language in The Tiger Rising
What are some examples of figurative language in The Tiger Rising?
The Tiger Rising features figurative language such as similes (e.g., "Her face was smooth and dark, like a beautiful piece of wood"), personification (e.g., "Fog was hugging the ground"), idioms, and onomatopoeia. These devices help create vivid imagery and deeper meaning in the story.
How can I teach figurative language using The Tiger Rising?
Have students identify and illustrate three examples of figurative language from the book. Use a scavenger hunt during or after reading, or provide a list for students to reference. Encourage them to explain the literal meaning and the author’s intent.
What types of figurative language appear in The Tiger Rising?
Kate DiCamillo uses similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and onomatopoeia in The Tiger Rising. These literary devices make the story more engaging for readers.
What is a simple figurative language activity for The Tiger Rising?
Ask students to create a three-cell storyboard illustrating and describing three examples of figurative language from the book. They should include the type, the example, page number, and the literal meaning in each cell.
How do I explain the author’s intent behind figurative language in The Tiger Rising?
Discuss with students how figurative language adds emotion, imagery, or emphasis. For each example, have them write what the author is trying to convey beyond the literal words, such as mood or character feelings.
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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-tiger-rising-by-kate-dicamillo/figurative-language
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
