While students are reading, especially with historical subjects, they will encounter unfamiliar vocabulary. With this activity, students will use a spider map layout to create a visual vocabulary board as they read Flight to Freedom. After choosing the word(s), students will provide the part of speech, definition, an example from the text, and create an illustration to support their definition.
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Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in Flight to Freedom by creating a visual vocabulary board.
Prepare students for success by introducing key vocabulary before starting the story. Front-loading words builds confidence and helps students connect new terms to the story context.
Choose words that will appear often or are central to the story's events. Focus on terms students may not know but will need for comprehension.
Make cards for each word that include the definition and a simple visual or photo. Use bold graphics to help students remember meanings.
Show the cards one at a time, discuss their meanings, and ask students to predict how each word might connect to the story. Encourage students to share their ideas and prior knowledge.
Display the cards on the board or wall so students can refer to them as they read. This supports ongoing understanding and confidence with new terms.
A visual vocabulary board is a graphic organizer where students display vocabulary words along with their definitions, part of speech, example sentences, and illustrations. This approach helps students grasp and remember new terms by connecting words to images and context, making learning more engaging and effective.
To create a visual vocabulary activity for Flight to Freedom, have students select three key words from the text, find their definitions, use each in a sentence, and illustrate their meanings. Students can draw or use online images to complete their boards, reinforcing understanding through multiple modalities.
Key vocabulary words from Flight to Freedom for grades 4–5 include abolition, plantation, fugitive, abductions, refugee, and underground. These terms help students engage with the historical context of the story.
Illustrating vocabulary helps elementary students by linking words to visual cues, aiding memory and comprehension. Drawing or selecting images makes abstract terms concrete, supporting diverse learning styles and boosting engagement with new content.
Teachers can introduce historical vocabulary by using visual organizers, providing context-rich sentences, encouraging students to research definitions, and connecting words to story events or images. Making vocabulary interactive and meaningful supports deeper understanding in K–5 classrooms.