Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher's discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration.
Examples of Vocabulary from The Stars Beneath Our Feet
aberrant: markedly different from an accepted norm
autism: Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that affects how the person experiences the world. Autism can cause a broad spectrum of social, communication, and behavioral challenges that can range from mild to severe.
bodega: a small shop selling groceries, especially in a Hispanic area
borough: one of the administrative divisions of a large city
callous: emotionally hardened
clique: an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
conspirator: a member of a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
dejected: affected or marked by low spirits
depression: mental state characterized by a despondent lack of activity
despicable: morally reprehensible
despondent: without or almost without hope
dynasty: a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
evict: expel from one's property or force to move out
fortuitous: lucky; occurring by happy chance
gawk: look with amazement
girder: a beam used as a main support in a structure
illustrious: widely known and esteemed
impoverished: poor enough to need help from others
lurch: move haltingly and unsteadily
lurk: lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
lush: characterized by extravagance and profusion
meme: an amusing image, text, or video that spreads rapidly through social media
monarch: a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
nauseate: upset and make ill
notorious: known widely and usually unfavorably
oasis: a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
obliterate: do away with completely, without leaving a trace
pilfer: make off with belongings of others
projectile: a weapon that is forcibly propelled toward a target
prosecute: to bring a criminal action against
pummel: to strike, usually with the fist
regurgitate: repeat after memorization
reminisce: to recall the past
retaliation: action taken in return for an injury or offense
slink: move or walk stealthily
snicker: laugh quietly
spectrum: a broad range of related objects, values, or qualities
stupefied: as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
sulky: sullen or moody
surreal: characterized by fantastic and incongruous imagery
turret: a small tower extending above a building
unperturbed: free from emotional agitation or nervous tension
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from The Stars Beneath Our Feet.
Student Instructions:
- In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [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/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone)
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/6] Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature
- [ELA-Literacy/W/6/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How To Guide Discussions on Various Topics Present in “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”
Choose Discussion Points
Select a variety of conversation points that relate to the issues in the book. Identity, fortitude, community, inventiveness, family relationships, societal challenges, and more might be among them. Teachers can also guide the discussion from literary perspectives such as analyzing vocabulary and tone, literary devices and themes present in the story.
Examine Perspective and Viewpoints
Urge the students to think about many viewpoints on the subjects covered. Guide the discussion through open-ended questions such as What perspectives may different groups or people in the book have on a certain topic? Or In what ways does this represent the views of a larger society? Encourage the students to share their opinions of these topics and gather insights from the opinions of their classmates.
Use Interesting Activities
Include exercises that allow students to apply their understanding of the novel's themes and expand the conversations, such as role-playing, creative projects, or debates. Teachers can use various activities regarding vocabulary, literary devices and writing projects to enhance the overall experience of learning.
Make Use of Multimedia Tools
Incorporate multimedia resources to give more context and improve the conversation, such as pertinent articles, movies, or photographs. Ask the students to use different tools for their analyses and explore different perspectives. Teachers can conduct a movie night considering relevant topics and ask the students to critically analyze the movie and write a reflective report.
Summarize and Reflect
Encourage the students to summarize all the main points of the discussion and reflect on how these discussions aided their learning process. Ask the students to provide feedback and consider further topics for future discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Stars Beneath Our Feet Visual Vocabulary
How can students make visual vocabulary boards in class?
Students can either make online visual vocabulary boards after selecting the vocabulary words they want to work on or make hand-drawn vocabulary boards using paper and different creative elements. Online platforms such as Storyboard That aid in creating these vocabulary boards by providing templates.
How does the author vividly describe Harlem in the narrative using visual descriptions and imaginative vocabulary?
The author uses evocative visual descriptions to create a thorough image of Harlem, perfectly capturing the spirit of the neighborhood's streets, structures, and people. Readers are able to envision the scene where the characters live and interact thanks to these descriptions, which transport them there.
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