The Raven Vocabulary Activity

Activity Overview

In any classroom, vocabulary is a critical component for expanding student knowledge. A perfect way for students to practice vocabulary skills is to create storyboards that show the use of a word in a real-life context, or visually depicted the word's meaning. When students define a word and use it in context, they better retain it as part of their own vocabulary.

Vocabulary Words from “The Raven"

ponder
bleak
wrought
rapping
entreating
token
yore
mien
Pallas
ungainly
aptly
dirges
beguiling
divining
censer
plume
pallid
quit

Teachers Note: There are two ways that you can use Poe’s vocabulary to teach your class. You can have students come up with an original sentence that uses the word, or they can find the word in the text, and depict what the word means.

Visually Depicted Word Meanings from “The Raven":

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary….
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December...
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor…

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in “The Raven" 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.
Write a sentence that uses the vocabulary word.
Illustrate the meaning of the word in the cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.

Alternatively, use Photos for Class to show the meaning of the words with the search bar.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/6/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
[ELA-Literacy/L/6/5] Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
[ELA-Literacy/L/6/6] Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression

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Rubric

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Visual Vocabulary Assignment

Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any three vocabulary words.

	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.