“Zlateh the Goat” contains figurative language, including personification and similes. In this activity, students can display their understanding of figurative language by identifying examples, and creating a literal or figurative portrayal of the figurative language.
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Personification | Giving human-like characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas | The wind whistled, howled, whirled the snow about in eddies. It looked as if white imps were playing tag on the fields. The moon swam in the sky as in a sea. |
| Simile | A comparison using 'like' or 'as' | The wind became as cold as ice. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows three examples of figurative language in "Zlateh the Goat".
Boost student engagement by turning the search for figurative language into a fun, interactive scavenger hunt. Students actively hunt for personification and similes in the text, helping them internalize these concepts through movement and collaboration.
Assign roles like 'recorder,' 'finder,' and 'presenter' to each group. Clearly explain the task so every student knows what to look for—similes, personification, or other figurative language.
Hand out passages from 'Zlateh the Goat' to each group. Set a timer (e.g., 10 minutes) to maintain excitement and pace as students search for examples.
Encourage each group to read their chosen example and explain which type of figurative language it represents. This promotes discussion and deeper understanding for everyone.
Compile all discovered examples on a visible chart or digital tool. This creates a reference resource that students can revisit and adds a sense of accomplishment to the activity.
Figurative language in "Zlateh the Goat" refers to the use of creative expressions like personification and similes to make the story more vivid, such as describing the wind as whistling or comparing its coldness to ice.
Students can find figurative language by looking for comparisons using 'like' or 'as' (similes) and places where objects or weather are given human traits (personification) in the story's descriptions.
Examples of personification include descriptions like "The wind whistled, howled, whirled the snow about in eddies" and "The moon swam in the sky as in a sea."
To make a figurative language storyboard, choose three examples from the text, label each with the type (simile or personification), write the example, and illustrate it with characters and scenes that show the meaning.
Teaching figurative language helps 4th and 5th graders better understand texts and express ideas creatively, building strong reading and writing skills for future learning.