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 Three Times Lucky. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teachers discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition, and an appropriate illustration.
abductions: the action or an instance of forcibly taking someone away against their will; kidnapping/
au revoir: "goodbye" in French.
benevolently: well meaning and kindly.
bonjour: "hello" in French
cantankerous: bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
cordial: warm and friendly.
du jour: French for "of the day" such as "Soup du Jour" means "The Soup of the Day."
eulogy: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died.
forgeries: the action of forging or producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art.
homicide: homicide is when one human being causes the death of another.
ludicrous: so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous.
merci: "Thank you" in French.
ominous: giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.
parched: dried out with heat.
skedaddled: departed quickly or hurriedly; ran away.
surveillance: close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.
trellis: a framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as a support for fruit trees or climbing plants.
(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 Three Times Lucky.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Must have 3 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Encourage students to write their own sentences using each new vocabulary word. Applying words in context solidifies understanding and helps students remember meanings.
Choose a word from the list and think aloud as you craft a sentence. Demonstrating your thought process helps students see how to connect the word to a real situation.
Have students discuss possible scenarios in pairs or groups. Relating words to their own experiences boosts engagement and relevance.
Let each student compose a sentence for every vocabulary word and share it aloud with a peer. Peer feedback encourages improvement and confidence.
Post student-created sentences and illustrations on a bulletin board labeled 'Vocabulary in Action'. Highlighting their work motivates students and reinforces ongoing learning.
A visual vocabulary board for Three Times Lucky is an activity where students define and illustrate key terms from the novel, helping them better understand and remember important words using both text and images.
To create a spider map for vocabulary, choose 3-5 terms, write each term with its definition in a separate cell, and add an illustration that represents each word. This visually organizes new vocabulary for easier learning.
Key vocabulary words from Three Times Lucky include abductions, benevolently, cantankerous, cordial, eulogy, homicide, ludicrous, ominous, and several French terms like au revoir, bonjour, and merci.
Illustrating vocabulary helps middle school students by connecting visual imagery with word meanings, improving comprehension, retention, and engagement during vocabulary lessons.
Students should: click “Start Assignment”, select vocabulary terms, write definitions in description boxes, add illustrations, and save their work to complete the Three Times Lucky vocabulary storyboard activity.