The Sign Painter Vocabulary Activity

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Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Rubric

Activity Overview

Another great way to engage your students is by creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary from The Sign Painter.

In this activity, students demonstrate their understanding of vocabulary words using sentences and corresponding images. Students may be provided the vocabulary words, or they can use words that they have discovered through their reading of the text. The sentences and images validate the understanding of the word and the context that it was used in the novel.

Here are some ways to help your students find the meaning of the vocabulary words they choose:

Use context clues: sometimes you can figure out the meaning of a word by reading the sentences that come before and after the unknown word.
Sometimes, the author may tell the definition of the word right in the same sentence or in the following sentence.
Picture clues may help define an unknown word.
Look at the unknown word and look for parts you may know. Sometimes a new ending or beginning has been added or changed.
Use a dictionary or glossary.

mural

n. a painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall
"'It'll be like painting a mural,’ the boy said. ‘But who's going to see it way out here?’”

vacant

adj. having no fixtures, furniture, or inhabitants; empty
”They drove to a vacant lot where a blank billboard had been set up.”

raging

adj. continuing with great force or intensity
”But a wind came up, and they were caught in a raging dust storm.”

Some other vocabulary words that can be used are: storefront, hesitated, beckoned, stammered, billboard, landscape, canvas, ignition, horizon, and mesa

Copy Activity*

Template and Class Instructions

(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 The Sign Painter by creating visualizations.

Choose three vocabulary words from the story and type them in the title boxes.
Find the definition in a print or online dictionary.
Write a sentence that uses the vocabulary word.
Illustrate the meaning of the word in the cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.

Alternatively, use Photos for Class to show the meaning of the words with the search bar.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 2-3

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity*

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Visual Vocabulary Assignment

Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any three vocabulary words.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Word 1 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 1 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.
Word 2 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 2 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.
Word 3 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 3 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.

Copy Activity*

Activity Overview

Another great way to engage your students is by creating a storyboard that uses vocabulary from The Sign Painter.

In this activity, students demonstrate their understanding of vocabulary words using sentences and corresponding images. Students may be provided the vocabulary words, or they can use words that they have discovered through their reading of the text. The sentences and images validate the understanding of the word and the context that it was used in the novel.

Here are some ways to help your students find the meaning of the vocabulary words they choose:

Use context clues: sometimes you can figure out the meaning of a word by reading the sentences that come before and after the unknown word.
Sometimes, the author may tell the definition of the word right in the same sentence or in the following sentence.
Picture clues may help define an unknown word.
Look at the unknown word and look for parts you may know. Sometimes a new ending or beginning has been added or changed.
Use a dictionary or glossary.

mural

n. a painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall
"'It'll be like painting a mural,’ the boy said. ‘But who's going to see it way out here?’”

vacant

adj. having no fixtures, furniture, or inhabitants; empty
”They drove to a vacant lot where a blank billboard had been set up.”

raging

adj. continuing with great force or intensity
”But a wind came up, and they were caught in a raging dust storm.”

Some other vocabulary words that can be used are: storefront, hesitated, beckoned, stammered, billboard, landscape, canvas, ignition, horizon, and mesa

Copy Activity*

Template and Class Instructions

(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 The Sign Painter by creating visualizations.

Choose three vocabulary words from the story and type them in the title boxes.
Find the definition in a print or online dictionary.
Write a sentence that uses the vocabulary word.
Illustrate the meaning of the word in the cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.

Alternatively, use Photos for Class to show the meaning of the words with the search bar.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 2-3

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity*

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Visual Vocabulary Assignment

Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any three vocabulary words.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Word 1 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 1 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.
Word 2 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 2 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.
Word 3 - Sentence	Vocabulary word is used correctly in the example sentence in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentence can be understood, but the vocabulary word is used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary word is not used correctly in the example sentence.
Word 3 - Visualization	The storyboard cell clearly illustrates the meaning of the vocabulary word.	The storyboard cell relates to the meaning of the vocabulary word, but is difficult to understand.	The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary word.