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It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Students will be tickled pink and have a blast as they depict the literal and figurative meanings of idioms.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students think of some idioms, such as "I'm all ears," "You're driving me up a wall," "Don't let the cat out of the bag," "It's raining cats and dogs," or any others. Then ask them to learn the origins of one or two. For example, in the 19th century carnival games were targeted to adults, not kids, and the prize was often a cigar. If a player fell short of a win, the carny might say, "Close, but no cigar."

  • Step 2

    Have students depict an idiom literally. They can write it out and illustrate it on plain white paper and then glue it to a piece of construction paper, leaving room for a written explanation as to the intent of the idiom. Ask them to learn about the origin of the particular phrase.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their drawings and explain its origins to the class.

Standards

LA: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.  

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Adaptations

Idioms are a type of figurative language. Have students explore and illustrate examples of other types of figurative language, such as similes, metaphors, oxymorons, puns, and hyperboles.

Ask students to look up examples of idioms from other countries, such as "The carrots are cooked" (French: Les carrottes sont cuites), meaning what's done can't be undone (similar to "no use crying over spilt milk"); or "It's a roll with butter" (Polish: Bułka z masłem), meaning it's very easy (similar to "It's a piece of cake").