Metaphors and Similes Figurative Language Worksheets For 3rd Grade

Aligned to the Common Core Standard CCSS L.3.5.A for 3rd Grade figurative language.

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What’s the difference between a metaphor and a simile? These digital classroom paperless worksheets designed for third graders will test their knowledge of metaphors, similes, and figurative language through paperless flashcards, quizzes, and checkpoints. Use them at home as part of homeschooling, online tutoring, or to craft the perfect ELA lesson.

What's a Simile? What's a Metaphor?

But first, what is a simile, and what is a metaphor? Click on the + sign for some examples.

What's a simile?

What's a metaphor?

3rd Grade Digital Classroom Activities: Metaphors

Expect more than a worksheet with these digital classroom activities designed for 3rd graders to practice metaphors.

Find The Metaphors

Read the following sentences and find the metaphor examples. Take the quiz at the end of each sentence to check for understanding.

  1. She is like a shining star.
  2. She is a shining star.

Which sentence IS a metaphor?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. Terry is as white as a ghost.
  2. Terry is a white ghost.

Which sentence IS a metaphor?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. Your smile lights up the room.
  2. Your smile is as bright as the lights in the room.

Which sentence IS NOT a metaphor?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. My grandad is a wise owl.
  2. My grandad is as wise as an owl.

Which sentence IS a metaphor?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

Fill-in-the-gap Metaphors For 3rd Graders

Complete the following sentences in the fill-in-the-gap quiz from the words in the table below. Got a question wrong? Don’t worry. Press reset and try again.

Snow Bee
Puppy Cotton
Diamonds Sunshine

1. Her hair was white _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

2. He is a buzzy  _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

3. Sally is a happy  _______ rolling in the grass.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

4. The clouds are balls of _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

5. My new shoes are sparkly  _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

6. You are my  _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

3rd Grade Digital Classroom Activities: Similes

Learning about similes? Test your knowledge out with these paperless figurative language worksheets.

Find The Similes

Read the following sentences and see if you can spot the similes! Take the checkpoint quiz at the end of each sentence to check for understanding.

  1. She is like a shining star.
  2. She is a shining star.

Which of these sentences IS a simile?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. Terry is as white as a ghost.
  2. Terry is a white ghost.

Which of these sentences IS a simile?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. Your smile is as bright as the stars in the night sky.
  2. Your smile is a bright star.

Which of these sentences IS a simile?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. The clouds are fluffy balls of cotton.
  2. The clouds are fluffy, like balls of cotton.

Which of these sentences IS NOT a simile?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers
  1. My grandad is a wise owl.
  2. My grandad is as wise as an owl.

Which of these sentences IS a simile?

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

Complete The Similes For 3rd Grade

Complete the following sentences in the fill-in-the-gap quiz from the words in the table below. Got a question wrong? Don’t worry. Press reset and try again.

Owl Clouds
Smile Shoes
Bee Puppy

1. My grandpa is as wise as an  ________.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

2. The ______ are like fluffy cotton balls.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

3. Your ______ is as bright as the stars in the night sky.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

4. My new  ______ are like sparkly diamonds.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

5. You sound like a buzzy _______.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

6. Sally is like a ______ rolling in the grass.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

Flashcard Checkpoint Simile & Metaphor Examples

Use these flashcard examples to help third graders understand the difference between a simile and a metaphor. Flip the flashcards for more simile vs. metaphor examples.

Smilies vs. Metaphor Checkpoint Quiz

Can you identify metaphors and similes in English? They are both figures of speech that compare and contrast things. How good are you at telling the difference? Use this checkpoint quiz to find out. Got a question wrong? Don't worry. Press reset and try again.

1. The boy is soaring through the sky like an eagle.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

2. Her hair was white snow.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

3. You are as busy as a bee.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

4. The wind is a gentle butterfly.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

5. He wants to go to his friends house for a sleepover.

Choose the best answer from the choices below

Possible answers

Want More Resources?

Want more learning resources for 3rd graders? Check out our related resources below designed to bring inspiration to every ELA teacher, for online tutoring, and homeschooling.

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