Activity Overview
Figurative language adds a descriptive element to text. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has many examples of figurative language, including similes. In this activity, students can display their understanding of figurative language by identifying the examples from the text and creating a literal or figurative portrayal of the language. Additional types of figurative language include metaphors, personification, idioms, and hyperbole.
In the storyboard example below, there are three similes from Minli's encounter with the monkeys:
- "The monkeys’ shrieks were starting to sound like hysterical laughter, getting louder and louder like a volcano about to erupt.”
- “...with her eagerness she felt like the water she was boiling.”
- “Through the rising steam, he could see the beady eyes of all the monkeys glittering through the branches like hundreds of diamonds as they watched as well”.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows three examples of figurative language in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of figurative language in the text.
- Put the type of figurative language (such as simile or metaphor) in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | There are two correct examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
Activity Overview
Figurative language adds a descriptive element to text. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has many examples of figurative language, including similes. In this activity, students can display their understanding of figurative language by identifying the examples from the text and creating a literal or figurative portrayal of the language. Additional types of figurative language include metaphors, personification, idioms, and hyperbole.
In the storyboard example below, there are three similes from Minli's encounter with the monkeys:
- "The monkeys’ shrieks were starting to sound like hysterical laughter, getting louder and louder like a volcano about to erupt.”
- “...with her eagerness she felt like the water she was boiling.”
- “Through the rising steam, he could see the beady eyes of all the monkeys glittering through the branches like hundreds of diamonds as they watched as well”.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows three examples of figurative language in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of figurative language in the text.
- Put the type of figurative language (such as simile or metaphor) in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | There are two correct examples of figurative language in the description boxes. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the figurative language. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
How Tos about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Figurative Language
Incorporate group discussion to deepen figurative language analysis
Encourage students to share their selected figurative language examples in small groups. Group discussion allows students to explain their choices and hear diverse interpretations, strengthening comprehension and critical thinking around how figurative language enhances meaning in the story.
Model close reading of figurative language passages
Demonstrate how to closely read a passage containing figurative language by thinking aloud. Show students how to identify figurative language, discuss its purpose, and consider how it affects the reader's understanding or emotions.
Guide students to connect figurative language to story themes
Prompt students to consider how figurative language relates to the book’s central themes or characters’ experiences. This helps deepen analysis and reinforces the importance of literary devices in conveying big ideas.
Facilitate creative rewriting of text using new figurative language
Invite students to select a literal sentence from the book and rewrite it with their own figurative language. Encouraging creativity helps students apply their understanding and see how language choices can transform ordinary descriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Figurative Language
What is figurative language in 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon'?
Figurative language in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon refers to creative expressions—like similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, and hyperbole—that help describe characters, settings, and events in vivid, imaginative ways.
How can students identify figurative language in 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon'?
Students can find figurative language by looking for phrases in the text that compare things using 'like' or 'as' (similes), describe objects with human traits (personification), or use creative comparisons. Highlight these examples and note which type they represent.
What are some examples of similes in 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon'?
Examples of similes from the book include: “The monkeys’ shrieks...like a volcano about to erupt,” “she felt like the water she was boiling,” and “eyes...glittering...like hundreds of diamonds.”
How do you create a figurative language storyboard for this book?
To create a storyboard, choose three figurative language examples from the text. Label each with its type (simile, metaphor, etc.), provide the quote, and illustrate each using drawings or digital images that represent the meaning.
Why is figurative language important in 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon' lessons?
Figurative language helps students better understand characters’ emotions and the story’s imagery. It also builds reading comprehension and creative thinking, making lessons more engaging and meaningful.
More Storyboard That Activities
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
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