Another great way to engage your students is by creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary from Sarah, Plain and Tall.
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.
Here is a list of a few vocabulary words commonly taught with the story:
adj. having a sharply strong taste or smell
”The grasses flattened. There was a hiss of wind, a sudden pungent smell. Our faces looked yellow in the strange light."
v. to look searchingly
”What's that?" asked Caleb excitedly, peering over Papa's shoulder.”
adj. rough in texture, structure
”She sank her fingers into their thick, coarse wool.”
Other vocabulary words from the book that can be used are:
| bonnet | collapse | dusk | eerie |
| fetch | lively | flax | gleams |
| hearthstone | killdeer | mica | paddock |
| pesky | plow | primly | rascal |
| reins | scuttling | shingles | whicker |
(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 Sarah, Plain and Tall by creating visualizations.
Create a dedicated space on your classroom wall or bulletin board labeled with the book title. This centralizes vocabulary learning and keeps words visible for all students.
Choose essential words from Sarah, Plain and Tall that appear frequently or are challenging for your students. Prioritize words that help students better understand the story's setting and characters.
Invite students to write definitions and draw quick illustrations for each word on index cards or sticky notes. This hands-on activity boosts memory and encourages ownership of vocabulary.
Use the word wall during daily warm-ups, games, or exit tickets by asking students to use words in sentences or match them with images. Frequent practice reinforces understanding and keeps vocabulary fresh.
Add new words or replace cards as your class encounters more vocabulary in the story. Keeping the wall up-to-date maintains student interest and supports ongoing learning.
A visual vocabulary board for 'Sarah, Plain and Tall' is an engaging activity where students select vocabulary words from the novel, write sentences using those words, and create illustrations or find images that represent their meanings. This helps students deepen their understanding of key terms in context.
To make vocabulary lessons fun, have students create storyboards or visualizations using vocabulary from 'Sarah, Plain and Tall.' Let them pick words, write example sentences, and draw or search for images that show each word's meaning. This interactive approach makes learning memorable and enjoyable.
Some important vocabulary words from 'Sarah, Plain and Tall' include pungent, peer, coarse, bonnet, dusk, hearthstone, paddock, and plow. Use these words in activities to help students understand the novel's language and setting.
Students should: 1) choose three vocabulary words from 'Sarah, Plain and Tall,' 2) find their definitions, 3) write a sentence using each word, and 4) illustrate or find an image that represents each word's meaning. This process reinforces word understanding and context.
Images help students connect vocabulary words to visual concepts, making meanings clearer and easier to remember. Creating or finding images for words from 'Sarah, Plain and Tall' supports different learning styles and strengthens word retention through visual association.