Another great way to engage your students is through the creation of storyboards that use vocabulary from “Shooting An Elephant”. Here is a list of a few vocabulary words commonly taught with the story, and an example of a visual vocabulary board.
(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 “Shooting An Elephant” by creating visualizations.
Guide students to deepen understanding by talking about vocabulary in real contexts. Class discussions build confidence and help students use new words meaningfully.
Pick 3-5 words that relate to important themes or events in the story. Choose words that students are likely to encounter in class dialogue.
Write questions that encourage students to think critically. For example, ask, “How does imperialism affect the characters’ choices?”
Show students how to incorporate the words naturally in speech. This helps them feel confident using new terms.
Invite students to respond using the target words. Offer gentle corrections and praise to support learning.
Effective ways to teach vocabulary from 'Shooting an Elephant' include using visual vocabulary boards, having students define and use words in sentences, and encouraging them to illustrate meanings through drawings or photos. These strategies help students connect words to context and improve retention.
To create a visual vocabulary board for 'Shooting an Elephant', choose key vocabulary words, define each word, use them in sentences, and illustrate the meanings with drawings or photos. This makes learning interactive and supports visual learners.
Key vocabulary words from 'Shooting an Elephant' include imperialism, bazaar, despotic, mahout, labyrinth, coolie, miry, garish, sahib, betel, Raj, and supplant. Teaching these words helps students better understand the story's themes and context.
Visualizing vocabulary helps high school students grasp word meanings more deeply by connecting definitions to images and personal examples. This approach aids memory, supports different learning styles, and increases engagement.
'Shooting an Elephant' vocabulary activities are best suited for grades 9–10, but can be adapted for other high school levels to reinforce English and critical thinking skills.