Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found Echo. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon. Each cell will contain a term or allusion, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration. Teachers may utilize this activity as students read so that they can make visual vocabulary spider maps of new and unfamiliar terms as they encounter them.
Examples of Vocabulary from Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
- auspicious: indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
- bestow: give as a gift
- bravado: a swaggering show of courage
- bungalow: a small house with a single story
- buoyant: characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
- clamor: a loud, harsh, or strident noise
- confiscate: take temporary possession of a security by legal authority
- crescendo: a gradual increase in loudness
- detain: deprive of freedom; take into confinement
- dilapidated: in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
- dissonant: harmonically unresolved
- drudgery: hard, monotonous, routine work
- ebony: hard dark-colored wood used to make furniture
- ethereal: of heaven or the spirit
- euphoric: characterized by a feeling of well-being or elation
- famished: extremely hungry
- fortuitous: lucky; occurring by happy chance
- frivolous: not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
- furlough: a temporary leave of absence, especially from military duty
- furtive: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
- incredulous: not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
- pallid: deficient in color suggesting physical or emotional distress
- philanthropy: the act of donating money or time to promote human welfare
- prim: affectedly dainty or refined
- pro bono: done for the public good without compensation
- prodigy: an unusually gifted or intelligent person
- radiant: emanating or as if emanating light
- ramshackle: in poor or broken-down condition
- rapt: feeling great delight and interest
- ruse: a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
- somber: grave or even gloomy in character
- stigma: a symbol of disgrace or infamy
- talisman: a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
- trill: sing or play alternating with the half note above or below
- vagabond: a wanderer with no established residence or means of support
- waif: a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
- warble: sing or play with trills
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 Echo.
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
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 that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary found Echo. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon. Each cell will contain a term or allusion, its definition or description, and an appropriate illustration. Teachers may utilize this activity as students read so that they can make visual vocabulary spider maps of new and unfamiliar terms as they encounter them.
Examples of Vocabulary from Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
- auspicious: indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
- bestow: give as a gift
- bravado: a swaggering show of courage
- bungalow: a small house with a single story
- buoyant: characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
- clamor: a loud, harsh, or strident noise
- confiscate: take temporary possession of a security by legal authority
- crescendo: a gradual increase in loudness
- detain: deprive of freedom; take into confinement
- dilapidated: in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
- dissonant: harmonically unresolved
- drudgery: hard, monotonous, routine work
- ebony: hard dark-colored wood used to make furniture
- ethereal: of heaven or the spirit
- euphoric: characterized by a feeling of well-being or elation
- famished: extremely hungry
- fortuitous: lucky; occurring by happy chance
- frivolous: not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
- furlough: a temporary leave of absence, especially from military duty
- furtive: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
- incredulous: not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
- pallid: deficient in color suggesting physical or emotional distress
- philanthropy: the act of donating money or time to promote human welfare
- prim: affectedly dainty or refined
- pro bono: done for the public good without compensation
- prodigy: an unusually gifted or intelligent person
- radiant: emanating or as if emanating light
- ramshackle: in poor or broken-down condition
- rapt: feeling great delight and interest
- ruse: a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
- somber: grave or even gloomy in character
- stigma: a symbol of disgrace or infamy
- talisman: a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
- trill: sing or play alternating with the half note above or below
- vagabond: a wanderer with no established residence or means of support
- waif: a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
- warble: sing or play with trills
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 Echo.
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
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. |
How Tos about Echo Vocabulary
Organize a classroom vocabulary word wall for ongoing learning
Display key terms visually on a word wall so students can reference and interact with new vocabulary throughout the unit. This helps reinforce understanding by making words visible and accessible daily.
Assign students to select and define new words during reading
Empower students by letting them choose unfamiliar words from readings to add to the word wall. This encourages ownership and curiosity, making vocabulary building a collaborative process.
Encourage students to create illustrated word cards
Have students draw or print images that represent their chosen words along with definitions. Visual connections aid retention and make the word wall engaging.
Review and revisit word wall terms with quick daily activities
Start class with brief games or discussions using words from the wall. Frequent practice helps solidify understanding and supports long-term mastery.
Integrate word wall vocabulary into student writing and discussions
Challenge students to use new terms in their assignments, journals, or oral responses. Applying vocabulary in context deepens comprehension and communication skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Echo Vocabulary
What is an Echo vocabulary storyboard activity for middle school students?
An Echo vocabulary storyboard activity is a lesson where students define and illustrate key vocabulary terms from the novel Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Each cell in the storyboard includes the term, its definition, and a related illustration, helping students better understand and remember new words.
How can teachers use visual vocabulary boards to reinforce key terms from Echo?
Teachers can assign visual vocabulary boards for students to define and illustrate unfamiliar words as they encounter them while reading. This approach encourages active engagement and helps students make visual connections, improving comprehension and retention of new vocabulary from Echo.
What are some effective vocabulary words to teach from Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan?
Some effective vocabulary words from Echo include auspicious, buoyant, dilapidated, prodigy, and vagabond. These words help students build a richer lexicon and understand the story's context.
What is the best way to help students retain new vocabulary from Echo?
The best way to help students retain new vocabulary from Echo is by having them define, illustrate, and use each term in context. Visual activities like spider maps or storyboards are especially effective for reinforcing word meanings.
Why should students illustrate vocabulary terms in addition to defining them?
Illustrating vocabulary terms helps students internalize definitions by connecting words to visual imagery. This dual approach supports deeper understanding and long-term retention, especially for complex or unfamiliar terms found in Echo.
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