It's Raining Idioms!

Here is a simple list of 21 idioms for which learners are supposed to write the figurative meanings. I'd extend it to include either drawing pictures or group discussions to build meaning rather than just assigning it as individual work.

How well do your class members understand the figurative meaning of idioms? Find out with this 15 question multiple choice assessment.

Examining idioms is a peace of cake when using this graphic organizer! Here, grammarians identify an idiom and use it in a sentence. Then they investigate its literal meaning versus its figurative meaning, and accompany each one with a...

Good idioms are a dime a dozen. A 19-page list is only a drop in the bucket when it comes to figurative language and idiomatic phrases. So don't get a chip on your shoulder and dive in; learning what idioms really mean is a...

Support vocabulary instruction for any unit with this quick exercise. Class members write down the word, part of speech, and definition. They compose an original sentence using the word, and draw a picture of the word. Four words fit on...

Sixth graders research railroad idioms.  In this idiom instructional activity, 6th graders read through a glossary of different railroad idioms and their meanings. They illustrate a chosen idiom.

Middle schoolers learn to show, not tell, in their narrative writing. A slide show takes them through the process of choosing strong, descriptive words, and then provides writing prompts for them to use as practice. The first two pages...

Clear up some common idioms for your English learners (or any other class) with this presentation. Expressions such as "Go fly a kite" and "He kicked the bucket" are coupled with pictures, some of which are unclear and could be confusing...

Who is Carl? Carl is a little monster that will help your learners draw and create in any way imaginable. Get those kids to activate creative and imaginative thinking skills with a really fun app. There are endless options that can...

Ah, food idioms! Now that sounds tasty. Class members read and discuss various food-related idioms, create an illustration of a food-related idiom, and develop a class book or bulletin board to celebrate figurative language and National...