Activity Overview
As students read, they'll often come across vocabulary they're unfamiliar with. A great way to connect students with those new words is to have them create a storyboard that uses vocabulary from The Outsiders. In the visual vocabulary board, students can choose between coming up with their own use of the vocabulary board, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words.
Vocabulary Words from The Outsiders
- stupor
- delirious
- madras
- bootlegging
- cowlick
- veered
- elite
- winced
- contemptuously
- nonchalantly
- gorged
- aghast
- acquitted
Template and Class Instructions
(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 The Outsiders by creating visualizations.
- Choose three vocabulary words from the story and type them in the title boxes.
- Find the definition in a print or online dictionary and type it in the description boxes.
- Illustrate the meaning of the word in the cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
- Add the sentence from the book, or come up with your own sentence that uses the vocabulary word.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/L/6/1] Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
- [ELA-Literacy/L/6/3] Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
- [ELA-Literacy/L/6/4] Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word 1 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 1 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 2 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 2 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
| Word 3 - Sentence | Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context. | The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context. | The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence. |
| Word 3 - Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word. | The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word. |
How To Teach Vocabulary of a Novel in Elementary School
Choose the Words
You might offer students a word bank or allow them to choose their own words that they want to focus on. You know your students best, and you know what scaffolding or differentiation you might need to employ with them.
Define the Words
Allow students to use an online dictionary or another method of your choice in order get a solid definition for the word. They should type this in the box.
Draw the Scene
Drawing is a powerful tool for elementary students, and when they create the scene to show the word's definition they will be using a variety of intelligences, and therefore will be more likely to remember the definition.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vocabulary Activity for The Outsiders
Why is vocabulary acquisition so important for students?
Students are continually refining their personal wordbanks, and it is important for them to understand a wide variety of words in order to gain cultural literacy. As an educated member of society, the more words the better, and books are a great tool for vocabulary enrichment.
How can pictures aid in vocabulary acquisition?
Having to draw a definition of a word rather than write it out connects with more parts of a student's brain, so they will be more likely to remember and retain the definition of the vocabulary word. Plus, it is just plain fun to draw!
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