Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Example Vocabulary from Towers Falling
- Anxious
- Asthma
- Bustling
- Concisely
- Envision
- Grimace
- Ideologues
- Inflaming
- Integrated
- Maneuver
- Metaphor
- Pulverized
- Skyscraper
- Squawk
- Stooping
- Strutting
- Thesis
- Void
- Wistfully
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 new vocabulary words in Towers Falling.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, 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/4/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
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 Help Students Recognize Parts of Speech For Vocabulary
Introduce the Concept
Start by defining the different components of speech. Define them as groups of words that are organized according to how they are used in sentences. Assess students' prior knowledge and ask them if they know what is a noun, verb, and an adjective.
Start With the Basics
After introducing the concept, start with the basic ones so students do not get bombarded with information. Only introduce nouns, verbs, and adjectives and slowly move on to more complex ones such as adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions.
Give Interesting Examples
Students will learn better with the help of examples rather than textbook definitions, hence teachers should provide interesting and engaging examples to help students solidify the concept and develop their understanding. For instance, using words like dazzling, adventurous, etc to show adjectives.
Make a Wall of the Parts of Speech
Establish a visual aid so that students may refer to examples of each speech component in the classroom. Teachers can dedicate a specific corner in the classroom to this concept so students can go through it daily and use it for memorization and retention.
Give Writing Practice
Give the students writing assignments that call on them to intentionally use various parts of speech in their sentences. Students can also highlight different parts of speech by reading a new story. This enables individuals to apply their learning in a real-world setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towers Falling Visual Vocabulary
What kind of visual vocabulary can students analyze in the story?
The skyline of New York City, the dust and rubble left over after the buildings collapsed, the homeless shelter where Deja's family resides, and the goods Deja finds in the box are a few examples of visual vocabulary from the book. Students can also take some particularly difficult vocabulary words and create their illustrations for a better understanding.
How does the reader's experience get better with the help of visual vocabulary?
The use of visual language makes a tale more engaging and accessible by assisting readers in forming their own mental images and sensory sensations. It helps readers identify with the characters and comprehend how 9/11 affected their lives. It also helps students retain the information in their memory as some students learn better with the help of visual aids.
How can the use of visual vocabulary help students who are learning English?
What students can not understand by hearing, they will be able to understand it by seeing it. Visualization of the vocabulary will also help them memorize and retain information which they can not do simply by listening to it.
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