Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards:
L.5.5b
New York State Next Generation Learning Standards:
5L5b
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
Tennessee Academic Standards:
5.FL.VA.7b.ii
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms and proverbs.
Wisconsin Academic Standards:
L.5.3.a
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters (e.g., Herculean).
Arkansas Academic Standards:
5.V.6
Explain the meaning of figurative language in context, including similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs, and personification.
5th Grade Writing - Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs Lesson
Idiom
An idiom is a phrase in which the meaning of each word separately does not tell the reader what the idiom means. In other words, the words in the phrase mean something more than each word in it.
To figure out the meaning of an idiom, look for clues in the passage.
Example: Alana bothered her brother so much that he told her to take a hike.
Meaning: Alana bothered her brother so much that he told her to leave.
Adage and Proverbs
An adage or a proverb is an old saying that says something wise. Over time, many people have accepted such sayings as true.
To figure out the meaning of a saying, look for clues in the passage.
Example: Health is better than wealth. Meaning: Having good health is more important than having lots of money.
Example: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Meaning: If a person does not take time off from work, he or she becomes bored and boring.
5th Grade Writing - Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs Lesson