Another great way to engage your students is creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary. Here is a list of a few vocabulary words commonly taught with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and an example of a visual vocabulary board.
In the vocabulary board, students can choose between coming up with their own use of the vocabulary word, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words.
(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 Tom Sawyer by creating visualizations.
Gamifying vocabulary practice with quick activities like Bingo, Charades, or Jeopardy helps students review words in a fun, memorable way. Games encourage participation, reinforce word meanings, and make learning more enjoyable for everyone.
Show students a finished example using one or two words, explaining your thought process for each step. This gives students a clear roadmap, sets expectations, and helps them feel more confident starting their own boards.
Pair students or form small groups to share and discuss their boards. Peer feedback builds communication skills, lets students see different creative approaches, and deepens understanding by explaining choices to others.
Ask students to relate each vocabulary word to something from their own lives, such as a recent event or feeling. Making personal connections helps cement word meanings and increases retention.
A Tom Sawyer visual vocabulary board is a teaching tool where students illustrate and define vocabulary words from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, helping them understand and remember key terms through both images and text.
To create a visual vocabulary board, choose three vocabulary words from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, find their definitions, write sentences using them, and illustrate each word with scenes or images that show their meanings.
Key vocabulary words from Tom Sawyer include contemplate, inspiration, expedition, dismal, rendezvous, vengeance, repentance, melancholy, pariah, and labyrinth, among others.
Visual vocabulary boards are effective because they engage students in active learning, making abstract words concrete through images, and helping students better retain and understand new vocabulary.
Yes, students can create vocabulary boards individually or with a partner, allowing for flexible collaboration or independent work, depending on classroom needs.