While students read, they'll encounter new vocabulary they don't know. A great way to engage students with that new vocabulary is to have them create a storyboard! Visual vocabulary boards are a perfect way for students to grasp new terms. In the vocabulary board students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary board, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in Holes by creating visualizations.
To differentiate vocabulary, work with students as you walk through your class to help them make a personalized list of words they do not know. Some students will be self-sufficient, while others will need more help. Doing this in the moment will help you to give each student what they need.
As you walk throughout the classroom, you might point out specific words to students that they might add to their list. For other students, you might want to hand them a typed copy of words that would work.
When creating a written description of the vocabulary words, some students might be able to easily articulate a description. Others might only be able to write a few words. Help students to do their best as you offer scaffolding.
Just like with the written word, students will have varying degrees of success with drawing. Illustrations will help students formulate their thinking for new words.
A visual vocabulary board pairs a vocabulary word and its definition with a picture. Visuals impact learning in a positive way and help students understand more fully the words they are learning.
Obviously, the words of a story make up the action of the story and it is important for students to understand what they are reading so that they can understand the story. Although it is impossible to stop and define every word as you read, learning new words in the context of a story will improve language overall.