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 the region of the Plateau and its First Nations.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that defines and illustrates the meaning of new vocabulary words relating to the Great Plains region.
Student Instructions
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Recognize that students have a wide range of backgrounds and learning needs. Providing differentiated options ensures all students can access and connect with new vocabulary.
Encourage students to define and illustrate terms using art, oral explanations, or digital tools. Choice boosts engagement and supports different learning styles.
Group students so that those with stronger vocabulary skills can help others. Collaboration builds confidence and fosters a supportive classroom community.
Give students sentence frames like “A tipi is…” or “A powwow means…” to help them begin their definitions. Scaffolding makes writing less intimidating for emerging writers.
Show images, artifacts, or short videos related to each term. Concrete examples help students connect words to real-world meanings and make vocabulary more memorable.
The Vocabulary of the Great Plains activity is a lesson where students define and illustrate key terms related to the Great Plains region and its First Nations. Students create a storyboard to visually represent and explain important vocabulary, supporting comprehension and retention.
Students start by selecting at least three key terms, write their definitions in the description boxes, and create illustrations for each term using relevant scenes or characters. The finished storyboard visually demonstrates their understanding of the vocabulary.
Teaching regional vocabulary helps students better understand readings and presentations by familiarizing them with terms they'll encounter, which improves overall comprehension and information retention during a Great Plains unit.
Common Great Plains vocabulary words for this grade level include Comanche, Pawnee, Sioux, Dakota, Lakota, Cheyenne, Ojibwe, powwow, feather headdress, American bison, winter count, and tipi.
Best practices include using visual activities like storyboards, providing clear definitions, connecting words to historical and cultural contexts, and encouraging students to illustrate and discuss each term to enhance engagement and understanding.