Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to Calico Girl by Jerdine Nolen.
Students will preview the terms and definitions and use whole class or small group discussion to demonstrate their understanding of each meaning. This can be done at the beginning of each chapter so that students can preview what they will read or teachers could decide to do at the end of a chapter as an assessment. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual vocabulary board that defines and illustrates new vocabulary from Calico Girl.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Engage students in interactive games using Calico Girl vocabulary to reinforce learning and make review sessions fun. Games like vocabulary bingo, charades, or matching cards help students practice and remember words in a lively, collaborative setting.
Pick essential words from each chapter that will support comprehension and connect to the story’s themes. Focus on terms students are likely to see again in future readings or discussions.
Demonstrate the meaning of each vocabulary term using real-life examples, sentences, or analogies. Modeling helps students relate new words to their experiences and builds confidence to use them independently.
Encourage students to discuss vocabulary in pairs or small groups. This promotes peer teaching and allows students to clarify understanding before creating their illustrations.
Use quick checks like exit tickets or drawing prompts to see if students can use and explain vocabulary in new contexts. Creative assessments keep students engaged and help you monitor progress at a glance.
A visual vocabulary board for Calico Girl is an activity where students define and illustrate key terms from the novel. This helps students deepen their understanding by connecting definitions with images, making vocabulary more memorable.
To help students illustrate and define vocabulary from Calico Girl, introduce the terms before or after reading a chapter, discuss definitions together, and have students create storyboards with drawings that represent each word’s meaning.
Examples of key vocabulary from Calico Girl include: conduct, taffeta, sacrifice, The Southern Confederacy, freedman, secede, contraband, and Fort Monroe. These terms help students understand the historical context and themes of the story.
Illustrating vocabulary supports student comprehension by engaging multiple senses. Drawing scenes or items related to new words helps students remember definitions and apply them in context, which improves long-term retention.
An easy assessment method is to have students create visual vocabulary boards at the end of each chapter. Review their definitions and illustrations to check for accuracy and depth of understanding.