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 Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr.
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.
Example Vocabulary from Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
- Chan
- Courage
- Heroine
- Leukemia
- Kimono
- Briskly
- Lopsided
- Murmur
- Transfusions
- Flock
- Throbbing
- Omen
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 that defines and illustrates new vocabulary from Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.
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
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/6/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/4/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How To Discuss Vocabulary from Other Languages in English Stories
Give Introduction
Provide students with simple definitions and explanations of the foreign vocabulary present in the story. For pronunciation practice, encourage the students to repeat after you. Teachers can also play videos and interactive games in class for students to understand and retain the word and its pronunciation.
Provide Context
Describe the language that the words were originally written in. What does it mean? Where does it come from? In addition, you can discuss any parallels or contrasts between that language and English. Ask the students to analyze the significance of the word in the culture and in the story.
Look into Cultural Significance
Reasons for the author's use of vocabulary from other languages should be discussed in order to understand the significance of the vocabulary in the story. Teachers can ask questions such as What do these words accomplish for the narrative? In what ways do they add to the story's cultural tapestry? Or if the story would have been the same had the author used any other vocabulary.
Play Word Games
Students can play multiple vocabulary-related games and conduct interactive activities such as making vocabulary flashcards, doing vocabulary comparisons, acting out words, or playing word charades. These exercises will make the lectures more interesting and give the students flexibility to learn on their own terms.
Reflect and Summarize
Encourage the students to reflect on all the knowledge they have gained so far and summarize it into a few points. This will help reinforce the concept and retain important information. Students can also clear up any confusion or provide input regarding any activities they would like to perform to improve their learning pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visual Vocabulary for Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
How can students retain the information better with the help of visual vocabulary?
Students can learn much better and retain a lot more if any form of visuals is added to their lesson plans. Seeing the things themselves helps the information to be there for a longer time than usual. Students can also understand many complex ideas and concepts with the help of visual vocabulary which results in a better understanding of the overall narrative.
What are some key visuals in the story that make it more interesting for the readers?
Origami cranes, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, traditional Japanese garb including kimonos, hospital settings, and pictures of Sadako's voyage are just a few of the story's important visual components. Students feel more familiar with Japanese culture after imagining these visuals while reading the story.
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