Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

●​ Words ●​ Phrases ●​ Figurative language ●​ Connotative meanings ●​ Figures of speech ●​ Meaning

●​ Determine ●​ Analyze

●​ I can determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative language and connotative meanings. ●​ I can analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning and tone of a text.

●​ Tone ●​ Text

Sample Question Stems and Prompts for Assessment

Word Meaning: ●​ "What is the meaning of the word [word] in this context?" ●​ "How does the author use figurative language to convey meaning in this sentence?" ●​ "What connotations does the word [word] carry in this passage?"

Word Impact on Meaning and Tone: ●​ "How does the author's choice of words impact the tone of this paragraph?" ●​ "Explain how the use of figurative language in this stanza affects the reader's interpretation of the text." ●​ "What is the effect of using a word with multiple meanings in this sentence?" ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Sample Formative Assessments

Figurative Language Identification Worksheet: ●​ Activity: Students read a passage from a literary (RL) or informational (RI) text and identify instances of figurative language. They must explain the meaning of each example and discuss how it contributes to the overall tone or message of the text.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to recognize and explain figurative language and its impact on meaning and tone.

Word Choice Analysis Essay: ●​ Activity: Students select a passage from a text and write an essay analyzing the author's word choices. They must identify specific words or phrases with multiple meanings or connotations and discuss how these choices affect the reader's interpretation of the text.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone within a text.

Last Updated June 2nd, 2026 Secondary ELA, Page 109