Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary terms and allusions aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary and allusions found in the book The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher's discretion. Each cell will contain a term or allusion, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration.
Example Vocabulary from The Poet X
abyss: a bottomless gulf or pit
annotate: add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
apocalypse: a cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the powers of evil
barrio: a Spanish-speaking quarter in a town or city
blasphemous: grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
bodega: small shop selling groceries, especially in a Hispanic area
borough: one of the administrative divisions of a large city. In New York City the five boroughs that Xiomara refers to are: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
cacophony: loud confusing disagreeable sounds
cathartic: emotionally purging
chalice: a bowl-shaped drinking vessel
cliche: a trite or obvious remark
conceited: having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; vain
conductivity: the property of transmitting heat, electricity, or sound
convent: a religious residence especially for nuns
crevice: a long narrow opening
devout: deeply religious
disciple: one who believes and helps spread the doctrine of another
gospel: the written body of teachings accepted by a religious group
haiku: an epigrammatic Japanese verse form of three short lines
heathen: a person who does not acknowledge your god
icebreaker: an initial activity to relax a tense or formal atmosphere
incense: a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
nostalgia: a longing for something past
omen: a sign of a thing about to happen
parasitic: living off another
penance: voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for something
piety: righteousness by virtue of being religiously devout
pristine: immaculately clean and unused
prophet: someone who speaks by divine inspiration
rectory: an official residence provided by a church for a minister
repentance: remorse for your past conduct
sacrament: a formal religious ceremony conferring a specific grace
smolder: burn slowly and without a flame
sonnet: a verse form of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
stoop: small porch or set of steps at the front entrance of a house
trinity: three people or things considered as a unit
urn: a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
volition: the act of making a choice
Allusions in The Poet X
Harlem: A neighborhood in Upper Manhattan (Uptown), New York City with the Hudson River to the west; the Harlem River to the north; Fifth Avenue and the East River to the east; and south to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Central Park.
The Bible: A collection of religious texts, writings, or scriptures, parts of which are sacred in Christianity, Judaism, and many other faiths.
Catholicism: The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2019.
The Nuyorican Poet's Cafe: This is where Xiomara competes in the slam competition at the end of the novel. It is actually a real place in New York City! It was founded in 1973 by Puerto Rican poet Miguel Algarin and it has been a place for poets and artists of all races, cultures and backgrounds to share their work ever since! Allen Ginsberg is quoted as saying the Cafe is "the most integrated place on the planet."
Contemporary rappers: Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj
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: To learn the meanings of unfamiliar words and track allusions (real people, places, art, cultural references) in The Poet X, you will track the terms as you read and create a storyboard that demonstrates your understanding.
Student Instructions:
- In the title boxes, identify the terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitions | The vocabulary words are correctly defined. | The meaning of the vocabulary words can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The vocabulary word is not clearly defined |
| Illustrations | The storyboard illustrations clearly depict the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The illustrations relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words but it they are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How To Use a Storyboard to Define Key Vocabulary
Introduce the Vocabulary List to the Class
When you begin a book with your class, introduce a list of vocabulary words to your students so that they can familiarize themselves with the vocabulary and feel more confident as readers.
Assign Several Words to Each Student
Assign several of the new vocabulary words to each student so they can be personally responsible for finding and explaining these words to the class.
Assist Students in Looking for Their Words
Some students may need help finding their words, while others can do this independently. Scaffold as needed.
Create Storyboard Slides to Showcase Words
Students will illustrate a picture of their word as well as supply a description of it to make its meaning clear. Students can share their storyboards with the class to enrich learning and discussion for all.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vocabulary and Allusions in The Poet X
How is preloading a vocabulary list for students helpful?
When reading a new text that is filled with new vocabulary words, students can easily become overwhelmed if they feel like there are too many words they don't know. By giving them a list of important vocabulary words before reading, they will feel more successful overall when they spot them in the text.
What is the importance of allusions in literature?
An allusion is a reference to important people, historical moments, books, authors, etc. Authors use allusions to connect their work to the world in general and offer deeper meaning. If allusions are explained to students in advance, they will find more success as a reader.
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