Students will demonstrate their understanding of vocabulary words by using a Frayer Model. After choosing a word, students provide the definition, example, synonyms, and antonyms of the word. Students may be provided the vocabulary words, or they can use words that they have discovered through their reading of the text. See below for an example of a completed visual vocabulary board.
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Student Instructions
Create a Frayer Model for one of the vocabulary words from The Unsinkable Wreck of the RMS Titanic.
Boost vocabulary retention by weaving visual vocabulary boards into your daily lessons. Consistent, brief practice helps students naturally build word knowledge and confidence.
Demonstrate the process of choosing clear, relevant examples and non-examples for target words. Show how this deepens understanding and prevents common misconceptions.
Organize quick pair-shares where students review each other's boards. Discussing choices allows students to clarify meanings and learn from diverse perspectives.
Leverage digital tools like Photos for Class or drawing apps to help students illustrate word meanings. This engages visual learners and makes vocabulary practice more interactive.
Use exit tickets asking students to write a sentence or draw a quick sketch using a new vocabulary word. This provides immediate feedback and reinforces learning.
A Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that helps students deepen their understanding of vocabulary by defining a word, listing characteristics, providing examples, and giving non-examples. To use it, have students select a word, find its definition, identify characteristics, and include both examples and non-examples—using words and visuals—to build comprehension.
To create a visual vocabulary board for 'The Unsinkable Wreck of the RMS Titanic', pick a vocabulary word from the text, use a Frayer Model to organize its definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples, and illustrate each section with drawings or licensed photos. This helps students visualize and retain word meanings.
Example vocabulary words from the text include agony, excruciating, graze, liner, and torment. Teachers can provide these or let students select words they find challenging in the reading.
Visual aids make abstract vocabulary more concrete, helping grade 4–5 students understand and remember word meanings. Pictures, drawings, and visual organizers like the Frayer Model support different learning styles and boost engagement and retention.
The best way is to guide students to use print or online dictionaries and thesauruses. Encourage them to brainstorm synonyms and antonyms, discuss word meanings in context, and use examples from the text to reinforce understanding.