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 The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine.
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.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual vocabulary board that illustrates and defines the meaning of new vocabulary from The Lions of Little Rock.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Transform your vocabulary boards into an interactive word wall to boost engagement and reinforce learning all unit long. This approach helps students see words in context and revisit them regularly for deeper understanding.
Choose a section of your classroom wall or a bulletin board where all students can easily see and access the vocabulary boards. Visibility encourages frequent interaction and keeps key terms top of mind.
Arrange students' illustrated vocabulary boards in the chosen space. Celebrate student work by showcasing a variety of definitions and drawings for each term.
Engage students with quick daily or weekly activities, such as having them use a word in a sentence, find synonyms, or connect words to events in the novel. Frequent practice strengthens recall and application.
Refresh the word wall by adding new terms and retiring older ones as you move through each chapter. Keeping content current maintains student interest and supports ongoing learning.
A visual vocabulary board for The Lions of Little Rock is an activity where students define and illustrate key terms from the novel. This helps students understand, remember, and use new vocabulary through both words and images.
To teach vocabulary from The Lions of Little Rock effectively, start by previewing terms with students, use discussions to check understanding, and have students define and illustrate each word. Visual boards and group activities boost engagement and retention.
Illustrating vocabulary words encourages students to think deeply about word meanings, connect new terms to visual memories, and retain information longer. It also supports students with different learning styles.
Sample vocabulary words from The Lions of Little Rock include integration, segregation, activist, petition, and enraged, among others featured in the lesson.
The best way to assess understanding is to have students define and illustrate each term, then discuss their choices in small groups or as a class. This allows for formative assessment and reinforces comprehension.