Activity Overview
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 Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson.
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. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher’s discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition and an illustration that depicts the meaning. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Examples of Vocabulary from Midnight Without a Moon:
- Jim Crow Laws
- Segregation
- Lynching
- Racism
- NAACP
- Brown Vs. Board of Education
- Unjust
- Allegedly
- Plantation
- Acquitted
- Preacher
- Collard Greens
- Ocra (Okra)
- Deliberation
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map defining and illustrating new vocabulary from Midnight Without a Moon.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
Activity Overview
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 Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson.
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. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher’s discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition and an illustration that depicts the meaning. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Examples of Vocabulary from Midnight Without a Moon:
- Jim Crow Laws
- Segregation
- Lynching
- Racism
- NAACP
- Brown Vs. Board of Education
- Unjust
- Allegedly
- Plantation
- Acquitted
- Preacher
- Collard Greens
- Ocra (Okra)
- Deliberation
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map defining and illustrating new vocabulary from Midnight Without a Moon.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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 Utilize Multimedia Resources to Teach Complex Vocabulary Words for “Midnight Without a Moon”
Discuss the Significance of Vocabulary
Begin the lesson by generally discussing the significance of vocabulary and the importance of vocabulary acquisition to get the students interested. Teachers can explain to students how they can express themselves more easily, analyze and enjoy complex pieces of literature, and hold intellectual conversations by acquiring different vocabulary terms.
Make Digital Flashcards
Using an online platform, help the students create digital flashcards for vocabulary terms. Teachers can add multimedia components to their lessons, such as pictures, audio pronunciations, or little films that show how the words are used in context. To improve retention, encourage students to go over their flashcards on a frequent basis as they help visual learning.
Utilize Auditory Techniques
Urge the students to use online dictionaries to enhance their vocabulary base. Examine resources that provide sentence samples, audio pronunciations, and word-related visuals. These resources will help the students improve their learning with the help of auditory techniques and give students a chance to learn according to the most suitable method for them.
Assign Projects
Assign multimedia assignments that require students to use the vocabulary words to create infographics, presentations, or movies. Urge them to define the terms, give instances, and explain them. This encourages teamwork, inventiveness, and a more thorough comprehension of the terminology.
Reflect and Discuss
Encourage the students to reflect on all the activities they have performed so far to acquire and retain vocabulary and share their opinions regarding each activity. Students can suggest any improvements or provide new ideas that could help them learn in a better way. Discuss the newly acquired terms with students and how they can use them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Important Vocabulary for “Midnight Without a Moon”
What kind of creative writing projects may teachers provide to their students that demand that they use key vocabulary words throughout their essays or stories?
The use of vocabulary words in meaningful contexts can be reinforced through assignments like character monologues, setting descriptions, and persuasive essays that incorporate the vocabulary words. Teachers can encourage the students to talk about their favorite topic including the newly learned vocabulary to foster creativity and reinforce the ideas.
What methods may be used to assist students learning English in understanding the complex definitions and applications of key vocabulary words?
Enhancing the quality of the learning environment for English language learners can be achieved by introducing visual aids, offering bilingual resources, and implementing scaffolded activities that help learners understand the subtleties of terminology. Teachers can create customized lesson plans for students with varying abilities and progress to improve the learning process.
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Midnight Without a Moon
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