![Amigo Brothers by Piri Thomas - Identify Themes in "Amigo Brothers"](http://cdn2.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/2355490/src-sets/cell-col-1-row-0-w400.png "Amigo Brothers by Piri Thomas - Identify Themes in "Amigo Brothers"")
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/amigo-brothers-by-piri-thomas/vocabulary
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
As students read, they often encounter unfamiliar vocabulary. In order to help students master these new words and engage them in the story, have them create vocabulary boards for new words in "Amigo Brothers". Vocabulary boards are a great way to provide visual context for students. In the boards, students can choose to create their own sentence or use the example from the text alongside their definition and illustration.
"Amigo Brothers" Vocabulary
- barrage
- flail
- bedlam
- pensively
- clarity
- perpetual
- devastating
- torrent
- dispel
- tournament
- unbridled
- evading
- improvise
- frenzied
- feint
- tenement
- amateur
- bouts
Template and Class Instructions
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Using a three-celled spider map with title and descriptions boxes, label the boxes: Description, Words with Related Meanings (synonyms), and Example.
In the description boxes of the above three cells put:
- the definition with the part of speech
- three to four synonyms
- a sentence that properly uses the word
Finally, create illustrations to go along with descriptions.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Visual Vocabulary Assignment
Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any three vocabulary words.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word 1 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 1 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 2 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 2 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 3 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 3 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
Lesson Plan Overview
As students read, they often encounter unfamiliar vocabulary. In order to help students master these new words and engage them in the story, have them create vocabulary boards for new words in "Amigo Brothers". Vocabulary boards are a great way to provide visual context for students. In the boards, students can choose to create their own sentence or use the example from the text alongside their definition and illustration.
"Amigo Brothers" Vocabulary
- barrage
- flail
- bedlam
- pensively
- clarity
- perpetual
- devastating
- torrent
- dispel
- tournament
- unbridled
- evading
- improvise
- frenzied
- feint
- tenement
- amateur
- bouts
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Using a three-celled spider map with title and descriptions boxes, label the boxes: Description, Words with Related Meanings (synonyms), and Example.
In the description boxes of the above three cells put:
- the definition with the part of speech
- three to four synonyms
- a sentence that properly uses the word
Finally, create illustrations to go along with descriptions.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Visual Vocabulary Assignment
Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any three vocabulary words.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word 1 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 1 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 2 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 2 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 3 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 3 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
How to Differentiate Vocabulary in a Story
1
Assign Appropriate Vocabulary Words to Different Students
You can easily differentiate vocabulary in a story by giving students different words to start with. Depending on reading level, having students look for words that will challenge but not overwhelm them is important.
2
Scaffold for Those Who Need It
Even with different vocabulary words to start with, some students may still need more help than others. Engage students and help them succeed at whatever point in the process that they are.
3
Allow Them to Create Their Own Meaning
Students can create their own meaning by writing a personal sentence about their vocabulary words and drawing a creative picture to go along with it. These activities will aid in retention and understanding of the new words.
Frequently Asked Questions about "Amigo Brothers" Vocabulary
What is a vocabulary board?
A vocabulary board is an activity where students can look more closely at a new vocabulary word in order to retain it more efficiently. By writing a personal sentence using the word and drawing a picture, students will be more likely to learn the word for the long-term.
Why is learning vocabulary prior to reading a story so essential?
Students can easily tune out on a story if they meet too many words they don't know. By learning a list of important vocabulary prior to reading, you are giving students something to look for when they read, and raising their engagement level and learning.
More Storyboard That Activities
Amigo Brothers
Testimonials
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/amigo-brothers-by-piri-thomas/vocabulary
© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
