Idiom Sleuth

This worksheet engages students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 in close reading practice by asking them to identify idioms within short reading passages. By analyzing extended text, learners strengthen figurative language recognition, vocabulary awareness, reading comprehension, and literary analysis as they distinguish between literal sentences and those containing nonliteral expressions.

Skills Reinforced

• Identifying Figurative Language (Grades 4-6) – Students locate and recognize idioms embedded within passages rather than isolated sentences.
• Close Reading Strategies – Learners practice careful reading, underlining or highlighting key language features.
• Vocabulary and Expression – Exposure to idioms in context builds understanding of expressive language.
• Literary Analysis – Students consider author tone, intent, and meaning when identifying figurative expressions.

Classroom & Home Use

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed to align with ELA standards and authentic reading instruction.
• Passage-Based Practice – Helps students apply figurative language skills during real reading tasks.
• Encourages Attention to Detail – Students must analyze each sentence carefully to avoid misidentifying literal language.
• Flexible Implementation – Suitable for literacy centers, independent work, homework, or assessment review.

This idiom identification worksheet helps students improve close reading, figurative language awareness, vocabulary development, and comprehension skills. By spotting idioms within meaningful text, learners gain confidence interpreting nonliteral language as it naturally appears in stories and passages. Whether used in a classroom setting or a homeschool language arts program, this printable supports thoughtful analysis and deeper understanding of figurative expression.

This worksheet is part of our idioms and expressions worksheets collection.