Idioms: You’re an Idiom
In this lesson, students will use research skills to write about the origin and meaning of an idiom, create a humorous visual representation of it with a 3Doodler, then animate and publish it to share.
Knowledge
Students have
reviewed various idioms and their meanings.
practiced using the 3Doodler, e.g., tracing stencils and welding.
reviewed various idioms and their meanings.
practiced using the 3Doodler, e.g., tracing stencils and welding.
Objectives
Students will
demonstrate an understanding of idioms.
research the meaning and origin of an idiom.
write about the meaning and origin of an idiom.
use the 3Doodler to create a visual representation of an idiom.
demonstrate an understanding of idioms.
research the meaning and origin of an idiom.
write about the meaning and origin of an idiom.
use the 3Doodler to create a visual representation of an idiom.
Materials
Students will need
3Doodler (1 per group)
pencil (1 per student)
scrap paper (1 per student)
tablet or computer (1 per pair)
lined paper (1 per pair)
Idiom list *See Appendix
3Doodler (1 per group)
pencil (1 per student)
scrap paper (1 per student)
tablet or computer (1 per pair)
lined paper (1 per pair)
Idiom list *See Appendix
Lesson Plan
Instructions
Step 1
Project your computer or tablet screen.
Step 4
Share the list of Idioms from the Appendix. Note how doodled objects based on idioms take on different meanings, as in "spring chicken" and "soap opera."
Step 5
Demonstrate how to research the origin of an idiom on the Google search engine. In the search box type in the idiom phrase followed by the words "idiom" and "origin." e.g., bad apple idiom origin.
Step 6
Demonstrate how to use a selected idiom in a sentence, e.g., "My grandmother is no spring chicken."
Step 7
Model how to bring an idiom to life with humor and a 3Doodler. Sketch your idea. Demonstrate how to incorporate a real world item, e.g., scissors, ruler, etc. and then embellish it with the 3Doodler.
![]()
![]()
Step 8
Use a tablet to take a picture of your doodled idiom and then upload it to an app like PuppetPals HP to animate your doodled object. Insert appropriate music or sound effects, along with an appropriate background to enhance.
Step 9
Divide student into pairs and allow them to select an idiom from the Idiom List. Hand out computers or tablets for researching meanings and origins. Students share their research and sentences on paper or an online shared document, like Google Docs.
Step 10
Instruct students to sketch a plan for their 3Doodled objects. What real world object can they use based on their idiom? Example: The idiom, "A bad apple," may actually incorporate a real apple. "Saved by the bell," could incorporate a real bell. Have pairs try a few different designs before choosing one to doodle.
Step 11
Each pair of students share a 3Doodler, take pictures with tablet and animate with appropriate background and sound, music or sound effects.
Project your computer or tablet screen.
Share the list of Idioms from the Appendix. Note how doodled objects based on idioms take on different meanings, as in "spring chicken" and "soap opera."
Demonstrate how to research the origin of an idiom on the Google search engine. In the search box type in the idiom phrase followed by the words "idiom" and "origin." e.g., bad apple idiom origin.
Demonstrate how to use a selected idiom in a sentence, e.g., "My grandmother is no spring chicken."
Model how to bring an idiom to life with humor and a 3Doodler. Sketch your idea. Demonstrate how to incorporate a real world item, e.g., scissors, ruler, etc. and then embellish it with the 3Doodler.
Use a tablet to take a picture of your doodled idiom and then upload it to an app like PuppetPals HP to animate your doodled object. Insert appropriate music or sound effects, along with an appropriate background to enhance.
Divide student into pairs and allow them to select an idiom from the Idiom List. Hand out computers or tablets for researching meanings and origins. Students share their research and sentences on paper or an online shared document, like Google Docs.
Instruct students to sketch a plan for their 3Doodled objects. What real world object can they use based on their idiom? Example: The idiom, "A bad apple," may actually incorporate a real apple. "Saved by the bell," could incorporate a real bell. Have pairs try a few different designs before choosing one to doodle.
Each pair of students share a 3Doodler, take pictures with tablet and animate with appropriate background and sound, music or sound effects.
Wrap Up
Assessment
Possible Extensions
Resources
Free dictionary
A list of idioms
Idiom video
A list of idioms:
Cool as a cucumber, a bad egg, couch potato, soap opera, apple of my eyeeye candy, eliminate line breaks and write in a comma-separated list, saved by the bell, steal someone's thunder, fast food, zipped lips
one tough cookie
bad apple
go bananas
fruits of one's labors
raining cats and dogs
lost his marbles
working like a dog
a knuckle sandwich
a crabapple
go cold turkey
Vocabulary
Educational Standards
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
Students will create concrete expressions of idioms with the 3Doodler.
Define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system and includes several criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
Students will work in pairs to meet selected criteria to construct a concrete example of an idiom.
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Students will work in pairs to sketch various design possibilities based on idiom before selecting one to doodle.
Use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
Students will use the 3Doodler to create concrete examples of idioms.
Exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
Students will demonstrate willingness and competency within an open-ended task with more than one possible outcome.
Create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
Students will create remix and repurpose idioms with 3Doodler.
More Lesson Plans
