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| Song lyrics are perfect for teaching figurative language! |
To engage your students, you need to know what they like. What books do they like to read? What movies do they like to see? What do they do in their free time? What kind of music do they like?
Having a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year is a great way to find out more about them. I like to have them create a collage mobile with their answers (more on that in another post). But this allows me to gauge what their interests are so I can create lessons that will, hopefully, engage them.
One of my favorite lessons for teaching figurative language & poetry devices is using popular song lyrics. I play the song for them in class & let them listen to the lyrics. Then I give them the handout and play the song again. As they listen, they pick out the devices they see and hear. I have been known to play a song three or four times (with all apologies to my nearest colleagues) so students can find all the "sound" devices.
I use this lesson for Katy Perry's "Firework" as one example. Depending on the level of your students, you may want them to find additional devices/examples or fewer. I use this with grade 10 and most were able to find at least 80 percent of the devices. What they couldn't find, I prompted with hints, then pointed out to them.
The copy on TPT has recent updates. You may download there free. If you like this lesson, please take a moment to leave positive feedback: Tracee's Firework Lesson Feedback
If you like this activity, check out ALL my lessons that incorporate popular music!
- One Direction Song Lyrics Poetry Activity- Poetry Terms Presentation Using Song Lyrics
- Poetry & Song Lyrics Comparison Activity
- Domino by Jessie J Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Activity (9-12--use your own discretion)
- We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel Art Prints & Activity
...more coming soon!
Using Katy Perry's "Firework" to Identify Figurative Language & Poetry Devices
