In any classroom, vocabulary is a key component for expanding student knowledge. A perfect way for students to practice vocabulary skills is to create storyboards that show the use of a word in a real life context or visually depicted as meant in the text. When students define and then use a word, they master the use of it in context and retain it into their own vocabulary.
There are two ways that you can use Poe’s vocabulary to teach your class. First, have students come up with their usage for each word in an original sentence authored by them. Second, have them find the usage of the word in the text and depict what the word means.
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Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of the vocabulary words in "The Cask of Amontillado" by creating a visual vocabulary board.
Before reading or teaching any literary writing, make a list of complex vocabulary with meanings from that writing and give it to students beforehand. This list will help them get familiar with the words and clear any confusion they have during the reading and understanding stage.
Since younger students have trouble pronouncing complex words, teachers can practice pronouncing these words in advance. They can also use engaging and interesting activities like creating catchy tunes for remembering the pronunciation.
Teachers can make flashcards of the complex words and use them to practice in class. Teachers can also encourage students to make their own flashcards so they can have access to them at home for practice as well.
Engage students in interesting activities such as acting out the meaning of the word or showing pictures that represent the exact definition of the vocabulary. Students can also make their own drawings to interpret the vocabulary. These drawings can be displayed in class for encouragement.
Motivate the students to read books or other items with advanced vocabulary. Give the students a place where they feel comfortable asking questions about new terminology they come across. This activity can be supported by a trip to the nearest library and giving students a chance to read and explore books.
Initiate conversations about subjects like retaliation, duplicity, and irony using pictures. Show students pictures that reflect these themes and ask them to explain how they relate to the plot and characters in the novel.
Illustrations of the funfair atmosphere and the dank, dark tunnels can assist readers visualize the contrasted settings of the novel. To emphasize the contrast, use vivid hues for the funfair scenes and somber tones for the tombs. The story uses many complex words and using visual vocabulary to understand them can also improve comprehension of the setting of the story.
Of course, visuals can draw attention to symbolic components like the Amontillado wine, which stands for opulence and desire, or the trowel, which represents a weapon of retaliation. Students may more readily understand the symbolic meaning with the aid of these illustrations.