Grade 08 ELA - EC: E08.A-V.4.1.2

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Grade Levels

8th Grade

Course, Subject

English Language Arts

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

E08.A-V.4.1.2 E08.A-V.4.1.2

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., verbal irony, puns) in context. b. Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words. c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute).

Activities

Identify examples of figures of speech.
Identify analogies used to show the relationship between words.
Identify the connotative use of a word.

Compare the connotative meaning of a word with its denotative meaning.
Interpret the meaning of figurative language used in a text.

Develop a logical explanation to describe the relationship between two particular words in an analogy.
Analyze the use of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in words meaning to develop meaning.

Answer Key/Rubric

Student identifies figures of speech. A figure of speech uses words or phrases beyond their denotative or dictionary definition to achieve a particular effect. Ponds and verbal irony are examples of figures of speech. A pun is a play on words. Verbal irony uses words to express an idea that is opposite to the dictionary definition of those words. Verbal irony and puns are typically used to achieve a humorous effect.
Student identifies analogies used to show the relationship between words. Analogies are used to show the relationship between two or more words. Common types of analogies include, but are not limited to, cause/effect, item/category, part/whole, and object/function. For example, “stanza : poem :: tree : forest” is an example of a part/whole analogy.
Student identifies the connotative use of a word. A word’s connotative meaning is the implied or suggested meaning of the word. A positive, negative, or neutral emotion can be assigned to a word’s connotation. For example, “frugal” and “cheap” have different connotative meanings when used to describe an individual. An individual described as “frugal” has a positive connotation while “cheap” has a negative connotation.
Student compares the connotative meaning of a word with its denotative meaning. A word’s connotative meaning is the implied or suggested meaning of the word. A positive, negative, or neutral emotion can be assigned to a word’s connotation. For example, “frugal” and “cheap” have different connotative meanings when used to describe an individual. An individual described as “frugal” has a positive connotation while “cheap” has a negative connotation. A word’s denotation is the dictionary definition of the word. For example, “clever” and “shrewd” have the same denotative meaning. However, “clever” has a positive connotation while “shrewd” has a negative connotation.
Student correctly interprets the meaning of figurative language used in a text. The interpretation correctly identifies the purpose or intent of the figurative language.
Student develops a logical explanation to describe the relationship between two particular words in an analogy. Common relationships include, but are not limited to, cause/effect, item/category, part/whole, and object/function.
Student analyzes the use of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in words meaning to develop meaning.