Go on a simile walk and describe what you see! This is a great activity to get kids to think out of the box and improve their writing. Remember to use like or as.
Example:
That tree is as tall as a skyscraper.
That leaf is crunchy like a potato chip.
That rock is as smooth as satin.
Reading Connection: My Best Friend is as Sharp as a Pencil
Have students write the most boring, drab sentence they can think of. Then, toss their sentences in a bag and have your students choose one and transform it into a hot hyperbole! Once they made the drab sentence over, have them use it for a writing prompt.
You could also have a hyperbole competition. Instead of 'Yo Mamma" jokes, come up with another topic for kids to challenge one another with.
Click here for a list of hyperboles.
Besides figuring out the meaning of idioms, integrate math into the lesson!
Other examples:
Dime a dozen - what does a dozen dimes equal ($1.20)
On cloud 9 - someone is on 1 of 9 clouds = 1/9
It takes 2 to tango - write the fraction of people (maybe 1 girl, 1 boy)
One jump ahead of (a frog). - write the fraction of the other animals in line.
Take five - write the fraction, five of what
Dressed to the 9's - how many 9's on a dress
Catch 40 winks - make an array
Feel like a million bucks - explore three addends, what would equal 1 million
Art and writing idiom activities - Minds in Bloom and Idioms by Kids.
3rd Grade Grapevine has a free printable for kids to draw and write their idiom's meaning.
List of Idioms - Number, Money, Animal, Color, Food, Various
