Saying Origins

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to deepen understanding of idiomatic expressions by examining their historical roots and modern meanings. Students read short informational blurbs that explain where common sayings originated, then write what each expression means today. By connecting past usage to present-day language, learners strengthen comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and awareness of how language evolves over time.

Skills Reinforced

• Informational Text Comprehension (Grades 4-6) – Read and understand short nonfiction explanations about language origins.
• Vocabulary & Idiomatic Meaning – Interpret idioms and explain their modern, figurative meanings.
• Summarizing Skills – Condense historical information into clear, accurate explanations.
• Historical Context of Language – Recognize how history, culture, and daily life influence expressions we still use.

Instructional Support

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to integrate literacy and social studies concepts.
• History-to-Modern Connection – Helps students see how language changes while meanings endure.
• Meaning-Focused Responses – Encourages students to translate informational text into their own words.
• Builds Cultural Literacy – Introduces background knowledge behind familiar expressions.
• Flexible Use – Ideal for literacy centers, independent practice, small groups, homework, or enrichment.
• No-Prep Format – Print-and-go worksheet for classroom or homeschool settings.

This printable worksheet helps students appreciate the stories behind everyday expressions while strengthening comprehension and vocabulary skills. By learning where sayings come from and what they mean today, learners build deeper language understanding, stronger summarizing ability, and greater curiosity about how words and phrases develop over time.

This worksheet is part of our Common Expressions Worksheets collection.