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 related to My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.
Students will preview the terms and definitions and use whole class or small group discussion to demonstrate their understanding of each meaning. This can be done at the beginning of each chapter so that students can preview what they will read or teachers could decide to do at the end of a chapter as an assessment. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Examples of Vocabulary from My Side of the Mountain
- Berated
- Cascades
- Cattails
- Coltish
- Conceded
- Congregate
- Dismayed
- Ferocity
- Flint
- Fretting
- Gorge
- Ingenious
- Knothole
- Lure
- Migration
- Misshapen
- Penknife
- Portico
- Preening
- Toil
- Tubers
- Vengeance
- Venison
- Whittled
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 defining and illustrating new vocabulary words in My Side of the Mountain.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, 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 related to My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.
Students will preview the terms and definitions and use whole class or small group discussion to demonstrate their understanding of each meaning. This can be done at the beginning of each chapter so that students can preview what they will read or teachers could decide to do at the end of a chapter as an assessment. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Examples of Vocabulary from My Side of the Mountain
- Berated
- Cascades
- Cattails
- Coltish
- Conceded
- Congregate
- Dismayed
- Ferocity
- Flint
- Fretting
- Gorge
- Ingenious
- Knothole
- Lure
- Migration
- Misshapen
- Penknife
- Portico
- Preening
- Toil
- Tubers
- Vengeance
- Venison
- Whittled
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 defining and illustrating new vocabulary words in My Side of the Mountain.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions, 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 My Side of the Mountain Vocabulary
How to Teach Vocabulary Context Clues with My Side of the Mountain
Empower students to determine word meaning independently by guiding them to use context clues from the text. This builds deeper comprehension and lifelong reading skills.
Select rich sentences from the novel featuring target vocabulary.
Find sentences in which the vocabulary words appear within meaningful story contexts. Highlighting these sentences helps students practice inference and understand words as used by the author.
Model analyzing context clues as a class.
Walk through an example sentence aloud. Point out clues like synonyms, antonyms, explanations, or illustrations nearby that reveal the word’s meaning.
Guide students to use context clues in small groups.
Assign each group a sentence with a vocabulary word and ask them to discuss what the word means, citing clues from the text. Encourage collaborative thinking and evidence-based reasoning.
Have students create their own context-rich sentences.
Challenge students to write original sentences using a new vocabulary word, embedding enough context for peers to infer its meaning. This activity deepens mastery and allows for creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions about My Side of the Mountain Vocabulary
What are effective vocabulary activities for 'My Side of the Mountain'?
Effective vocabulary activities for 'My Side of the Mountain' include creating visual vocabulary boards, using spider maps to define and illustrate terms, and engaging students in whole-class or small group discussions to reinforce understanding and retention.
How can I teach key terms from 'My Side of the Mountain' to 4th-6th graders?
To teach key terms, start by previewing vocabulary before reading each chapter, use storyboards and illustrations for each word, and encourage students to define terms in their own words. Discuss meanings as a class to deepen comprehension.
What is a visual vocabulary board and how does it help students?
A visual vocabulary board is an activity where students define and illustrate new terms. It helps students by connecting visuals with definitions, making the meanings more memorable and supporting different learning styles.
Why is it important to preview vocabulary before reading 'My Side of the Mountain'?
Previewing vocabulary before reading prepares students to understand the text, improves reading comprehension, and helps them recognize and remember new words when they encounter them in context.
Can vocabulary activities be used as assessments in a 'My Side of the Mountain' unit?
Yes, vocabulary activities such as defining and illustrating terms at the end of a chapter can serve as formative assessments, allowing teachers to gauge students’ understanding and application of new words.
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My Side of the Mountain
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