Literal and Non-Literal Language
A 40-minute Grade 3 lesson on distinguishing literal from non-literal language in a story, poem or play.
Literal and Non-Literal Language is a free 40-minute Grade 3 English lesson plan for Common Core standard RL.3.4 — tell when words mean what they say and when they do not. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 3
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- RL.3.4
Grade 3 · Reading: Literature
RL.3.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
Objective
Students will be able to say whether a phrase is literal or not, and give the meaning either way.
Students are successful when they can
- Sorts phrases into literal and non-literal.
- Gives the intended meaning of a non-literal phrase.
- Says what the literal version would look like.
What you need
- A story containing idioms and figurative phrases
- Two sorting columns
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — draw it literally
5 min- Give 'it was raining cats and dogs'. Ask what a literal drawing would show.
- The absurdity is the signal.
Teach — the drawing test
13 min- Find a phrase in the story. Ask what it would look like drawn exactly.
- If the drawing is absurd or impossible, it is non-literal.
- Give the intended meaning and check it against the sentence.
- Do one that IS literal and would draw perfectly well.
- Show a borderline case — 'she flew down the stairs' — and discuss.
“Draw it exactly as it says. If that picture is ridiculous, the words mean something else.”
Guided practice — sort six
12 min- Pairs sort six phrases into the two columns.
- For each non-literal one, they write the intended meaning.
- They discuss any that split them.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the figurative-language page.
- The passage is on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Give one phrase. Take literal or not, and the meaning.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Reads a non-literal phrase literally and is confused.
Why: Every word is known, so the sentence should work.
Fix: The drawing test. Absurdity is the signal that meaning has moved.
Calls anything vivid non-literal.
Why: Figurative and descriptive both feel like 'writing'.
Fix: Vivid literal descriptions exist. The test is whether it could actually be true.
Gives a meaning that does not fit the sentence.
Why: The idiom was half-remembered from elsewhere.
Fix: Substitute the meaning into the sentence and read it. It has to work in place.
If they are not there yet
- Three phrases rather than six.
- Give two candidate meanings.
If they finish early
- Find a phrase that is both literal and non-literal in context.
- Write a non-literal phrase for a plain sentence.
- Explain an idiom to somebody who has never heard it.
Exit ticket
'He was on top of the world.' Literal or not? What does it mean?
What to look for: Non-literal, with a meaning that fits. A literal reading means the drawing test needs another airing.
Printable practice for RL.3.4
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Literal or Not?Read the text, then answer the questions.
Questions about Literal and Non-Literal Language
How long does the Literal and Non-Literal Language lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Literal and Non-Literal Language teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4 — RL.3.4, Reading: Literature for Grade 3: “Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.” In plain terms, tell when words mean what they say and when they do not.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
A story containing idioms and figurative phrases, two sorting columns and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: reads a non-literal phrase literally and is confused; calls anything vivid non-literal and gives a meaning that does not fit the sentence. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “'He was on top of the world.' Literal or not? What does it mean?.” Non-literal, with a meaning that fits. A literal reading means the drawing test needs another airing. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Literal and Non-Literal Language?
Yes — 1 printable RL.3.4 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Literal and Non-Literal Language free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to RL.3.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.