Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. Teachers can have students define 3-5 words of their choice per chapter or provide a list of words they may be unfamiliar with before beginning the novel or chapter.
Examples of Vocabulary from Other Words for Home
Habibti: Arabic for "sweetheart"
Marhaba: Arabic for "hello"
Muezzin: A man who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque. In the context of the book, Jude is referring to the speaker whose voice she hears outside her window early in the morning.
revolution: the overthrow of a government by those who are governed
treasonous: constituting or having the characteristic of betrayal
stability: a constant order, especially of society
subtitle: translation of foreign dialogue of a movie or TV program
transcend: go beyond the scope or limits of
hummus: a thick spread made from mashed chickpeas
mosque: a Muslim place of worship that usually has a minaret
falafel: fried croquette of mashed chickpeas and spices
hijab: a headscarf worn by Muslim women
audacity: aggressive or outright boldness
feign: give a false appearance of
trudge: walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
impulse: an instinctive motive
downplay: understate the importance or quality of
icebreaker: an initial activity to relax a tense or formal atmosphere
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: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from Other Words for Home.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary 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 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
- CCSS: RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
- CCSS: L.9-10.3 - Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening
- CCSS: L.9-10.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
- CCSS: L.9-10.6 - Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression
- CCSS: W.6.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found in the book Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. Teachers can have students define 3-5 words of their choice per chapter or provide a list of words they may be unfamiliar with before beginning the novel or chapter.
Examples of Vocabulary from Other Words for Home
Habibti: Arabic for "sweetheart"
Marhaba: Arabic for "hello"
Muezzin: A man who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque. In the context of the book, Jude is referring to the speaker whose voice she hears outside her window early in the morning.
revolution: the overthrow of a government by those who are governed
treasonous: constituting or having the characteristic of betrayal
stability: a constant order, especially of society
subtitle: translation of foreign dialogue of a movie or TV program
transcend: go beyond the scope or limits of
hummus: a thick spread made from mashed chickpeas
mosque: a Muslim place of worship that usually has a minaret
falafel: fried croquette of mashed chickpeas and spices
hijab: a headscarf worn by Muslim women
audacity: aggressive or outright boldness
feign: give a false appearance of
trudge: walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
impulse: an instinctive motive
downplay: understate the importance or quality of
icebreaker: an initial activity to relax a tense or formal atmosphere
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: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary from Other Words for Home.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the vocabulary 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 vocabulary terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
- CCSS: RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
- CCSS: L.9-10.3 - Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening
- CCSS: L.9-10.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
- CCSS: L.9-10.6 - Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression
- CCSS: W.6.6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
More Storyboard That Activities
Other Words for Home
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