Homework and home learning tasks for Year 5 English, identifying similes and metaphors in a moonlit passage.
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Figurative language is when writers use comparisons, like similes and metaphors, to create a vivid picture for the reader.
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What’s Included
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• Moonlit Passage Analysis: A short descriptive text featuring similes like ‘skeletal fingers’ and metaphors like ‘glowing lantern’ for pupils to identify.
• Authorial Intent Task: A section for pupils to explain the effect specific comparisons have on the reader.
• Stormy Sea Creative Draft: A guided writing activity where pupils use personification and metaphors to describe a maritime scene.
• Success Criteria Checklist: A self-assessment tool covering figurative techniques, visual impact, and SPaG accuracy.
• Teacher’s Post-Task Briefing: A mark scheme with model answers for the moonlit passage and the stormy sea task.

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How to Use It
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1. Assign the moonlit passage identification task for homework so pupils can label similes and metaphors on their own.
2. Before writing, use the Authorial Intent Task to help pupils move beyond simple labelling and think about how imagery builds atmosphere.
3. As a plenary, use the Success Criteria Checklist so pupils can check their stormy sea paragraph against the targets.

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Curriculum Coverage
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• KS2 National Curriculum — English (Year 5): Discuss how authors use language, including figurative language, and evaluate the effect on the reader.
• Writing Composition: Draft and write by choosing appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices change and add to meaning.

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Last updated: 1 July 2026
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File Includes
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PDF file included.