Another great way to engage your students is by creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary from The Sign Painter.
In this activity, students demonstrate their understanding of vocabulary words using sentences and corresponding images. Students may be provided the vocabulary words, or they can use words that they have discovered through their reading of the text. The sentences and images validate the understanding of the word and the context that it was used in the novel.
Here are some ways to help your students find the meaning of the vocabulary words they choose:
n. a painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall
"'It'll be like painting a mural,’ the boy said. ‘But who's going to see it way out here?’”
adj. having no fixtures, furniture, or inhabitants; empty
”They drove to a vacant lot where a blank billboard had been set up.”
adj. continuing with great force or intensity
”But a wind came up, and they were caught in a raging dust storm.”
Some other vocabulary words that can be used are: storefront, hesitated, beckoned, stammered, billboard, landscape, canvas, ignition, horizon, and mesa
(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 Sign Painter by creating visualizations.
Display key vocabulary words from The Sign Painter on a dedicated wall space in your classroom. This helps students continuously review and reinforce new words throughout the unit. Rotate or add words as students encounter them to keep the wall fresh and interactive.
Assign each student a vocabulary word to illustrate and explain on a card or small poster. Encourage them to use their own sentences and drawings. Post these on the word wall or share with the class to boost engagement and peer learning.
Lead quick games like 'Guess the Word' or 'Word Charades' using vocabulary from the wall. These activities make review fun and help students recall meanings and usage in a playful way.
Ask students to share a time when the vocabulary word applied to their own life or surroundings. Relating words to real situations deepens understanding and boosts retention.
A visual vocabulary board for The Sign Painter is an activity where students select vocabulary words from the book, define them, use them in sentences, and illustrate their meanings with images. This helps students deepen their understanding of key terms within the story's context.
Engage students by having them create storyboards using vocabulary from The Sign Painter. Ask them to pick words, write sentences, and draw or find images that represent each word, making learning interactive and creative.
Students can use context clues from surrounding sentences, analyze word parts, look for picture clues, or consult a dictionary or glossary to determine the meaning of new vocabulary words.
Yes, students can select their own vocabulary from The Sign Painter by identifying unfamiliar words during reading or use a teacher-provided list, allowing for personalized learning and increased engagement.
This visual vocabulary storyboard activity is designed for grades 2–3, making it ideal for developing readers ready to strengthen their vocabulary and comprehension skills.