Hyperbole Trail Guide Teacher Resource Hyperbole Trail Guide
Teacher Facilitation Resource
Grade Level
5th Grade
Objective
Students will evaluate the purpose of hyperbole (Humor, Emphasis, or Persuasion) in various writing contexts.
Duration
45-50 Minutes of active instruction and collaborative practice.
Materials
Showdown Slides
Student Notebook Sheets
Purpose Sorting Cards
Scissors & Glue
The Lesson Path
1
The Hook: Two Truths and a Hyperbole (5 min)
Students write two true facts and one extreme exaggeration (hyperbole) about themselves. Pro-tip: Model this first. Example: 1. I have a cat. 2. I visited Ohio once. 3. I could sleep for a thousand years.
2
Video Viewing: Stretching the Truth (10 min)
Start the video at 5:22 . Focus specifically on the three purposes: Humor, Emphasis, and Persuasion. Have students fill in the "Purpose Map" in their notebooks as they watch.
3
The Purpose Sort Activity (20 min)
Groups of 3-4 receive a set of cards. They must discuss and place each card under the correct header. Discussion Question: "Why did the author exaggerate this? To make us laugh, to show a big feeling, or to sell us something?"
4
Closure: Creative Drafts (10 min)
Students write one original hyperbole for each purpose in their notebooks. Check for understanding by having a "Quick Draw" where they share their favorite one.
Purpose Sort Answer Key
Humor
Brain the size of a pea.
Teacher older than dirt.
Backpack weighed more than an elephant.
Emphasis
Told you a million times.
Cried a river of tears.
Waiting for an eternity.
Persuasion
Best pizza in the universe.
Change your life forever.
Softest blanket in the world.
Hyperbole Showdown Slides Hyperbole
Showdown
Stretching the Truth in Tall Tale Territory
The Hook
Two Truths and a Hyperbole
Write down three statements about yourself:
Example:
"I have a pet goldfish, I can play the piano, and my backpack weighs as much as a school bus!"
Watch and Learn
Embedded media
On Your Radar
Listen for the 3 main reasons writers use hyperbole.
"Hyperbole is a statement that is purposefully exaggerated to an extreme degree."
Why Use Hyperbole?
Humor
To make the reader laugh or show how silly a situation is.
Emphasis
To show a very strong feeling or make an idea stand out.
Persuasion
To convince someone to buy a product or believe an idea.
The Purpose Sort
1
Grab your Hyperbole Cards and Category Headers .
2
Read each card out loud to your group. Discuss: "Why did they exaggerate this?"
3
Sort the cards under Humor , Emphasis , or Persuasion .
Quick Draw!
In your notebook, write one original hyperbole for each of the three purposes.
😂 Humor 📢 Emphasis 🤝 Persuasion
Stretching Truth Notebook Document Hyperbole Showdown
Student Record Book
Name
Date
1
Two Truths & A Hyperbole
Write three statements about yourself. Two must be true, and one must be a wild, impossible exaggeration!
A
B
C
2
Purpose Map
As we watch the video, define the three main reasons writers use hyperbole.
Humor
Emphasis
Persuasion
3
My Hyperbole Gallery
Write your own original hyperbole for each category below.
To be Funny (Humor)
To show Strong Feeling (Emphasis)
To Sell/Convince (Persuasion)
Purpose Sort Cards Document The Purpose Sort: Card Set
Cut out the headers and cards below. Have students sort the hyperbolic statements into the correct category.
Humor
To make us laugh
Emphasis
To show big feelings
Persuasion
To convince or sell
My teacher is so old, she taught Cave Painting 101!
He is so thin, he can use a Cheerio as a hula hoop.
His brain is the size of a pea!
I have told you a million times to clean your room!
This suitcase weighs a ton! What did you pack?
The line for the movie was miles long.
"The softest blanket in the entire universe!"
"This burger will change your life forever."
"The world's best steakhouse!"
I was so hungry I could have eaten a whole horse.
"Try this juice—it tastes like a literal rainbow!"
I died of embarrassment when my mom sang in public.
End of Card Set
