Another great way to engage your students is by creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary from My Father’s Dragon.
In this activity, students demonstrate their understanding of vocabulary words using sentences and corresponding images. Students may be provided the vocabulary words, or they can use words that they have discovered through their reading of the text. The sentences and images validate the understanding of the word and the context that it was used in the novel.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in My Father's Dragon by creating visualizations.
Set up a gallery walk to let students display their visual vocabulary boards and observe each other's work. This approach encourages peer learning and sparks meaningful discussions about word usage and context from My Father’s Dragon.
Arrange desks or display spaces so students can easily walk around and view each visual vocabulary board. Clear pathways and organize boards in a logical sequence to make the activity smooth and engaging.
Tell students what to look for as they view each board, such as how the word is used, the clarity of the illustration, and creative connections to the story. Assign some students as presenters to briefly explain their choices, while others observe and ask questions.
Have students rotate in small groups or pairs, spending 1–2 minutes at each display. Encourage respectful listening and positive feedback as students share observations about new vocabulary and artistic interpretations.
Bring the group together to share insights, favorite words, and creative ideas they noticed. Discuss how visualizing vocabulary deepens understanding and supports reading comprehension for My Father’s Dragon.
A visual vocabulary activity for My Father’s Dragon involves students choosing key vocabulary words from the book, defining them, using them in original sentences, and illustrating each word with drawings or images. This helps reinforce word meaning and context in a creative way.
You can make vocabulary lessons fun by having students create storyboards that pair sentences using new words with colorful illustrations. This hands-on approach supports understanding and keeps students engaged.
Some example vocabulary words from My Father’s Dragon include knapsack, hold, solemn, suspicious, glaring, scarce, summon, cargo, conduct, and disorderly.
The best way to assess vocabulary understanding is to have students use each word in a sentence and create a drawing or image that matches its meaning and context from the story. This demonstrates both comprehension and application.
To create a visual vocabulary board, select key words from the novel, find their definitions, write example sentences, and illustrate each word using drawings, digital scenes, or images from resources like Photos for Class. Arrange these elements in a grid or storyboard format for easy viewing.