Activity Overview
When students are reading, they'll likely encounter unfamliliar words. A great way to engage students with new vocabulary is to have them create vocabulary boards. This is especially helpful when students read Elie Wiesel's Night. In the vocabulary board, students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary board, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words.
Example Vocabulary Words from Night
- Beadle
A minor official in the church who serves a ceremonial function
- Penury
Extreme poverty
- Expulsion
The act of forcing someone or something out
- Liberate
To set free or release
- Mysticism
A religious practice which believes that through prayer and thought a person can gain spiritual truth
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 Night 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.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
Activity Overview
When students are reading, they'll likely encounter unfamliliar words. A great way to engage students with new vocabulary is to have them create vocabulary boards. This is especially helpful when students read Elie Wiesel's Night. In the vocabulary board, students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary board, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words.
Example Vocabulary Words from Night
- Beadle
A minor official in the church who serves a ceremonial function
- Penury
Extreme poverty
- Expulsion
The act of forcing someone or something out
- Liberate
To set free or release
- Mysticism
A religious practice which believes that through prayer and thought a person can gain spiritual truth
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 Night 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.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
How Tos about Night Vocabulary Activity
Organize a collaborative vocabulary gallery walk
Invite students to display their vocabulary boards around the classroom. This encourages peer learning and lets students see diverse ways to visualize and understand new words.
Assign peer feedback roles for vocabulary boards
Give each student a specific role—such as 'definition checker' or 'illustration explainer'—to review classmates’ boards. This builds accountability and helps everyone deepen their understanding.
Facilitate a vocabulary board discussion circle
Arrange students in a circle to share their favorite vocabulary word from the activity. This fosters oral language skills and lets students practice using academic vocabulary aloud.
Create extension activities using vocabulary words
Challenge students to write a short story, poem, or comic using at least two new vocabulary words. This helps reinforce word meaning through creative application.
Frequently Asked Questions about Night Vocabulary Activity
How can I create a vocabulary activity for 'Night' by Elie Wiesel?
To create a vocabulary activity for 'Night' by Elie Wiesel, ask students to select key terms from the book, define them, use them in original sentences, and illustrate their meanings through drawings or images. This helps deepen understanding and retention.
What are some important vocabulary words to teach from 'Night'?
Important vocabulary words from 'Night' include Beadle, Penury, Expulsion, Liberate, and Mysticism. Teaching these terms helps students grasp the book’s key themes and historical context.
What is a vocabulary board and how is it used in literature lessons?
A vocabulary board is a tool where students define words, use them in sentences, and illustrate their meanings. In literature lessons, it encourages engagement with new terms and supports visual and written learning styles.
How can students visually demonstrate understanding of vocabulary words?
Students can visually demonstrate understanding by drawing scenes, creating character interactions, or using relevant images that depict the meaning of each word. This can be done digitally or on paper for flexible classroom use.
Why is it important to use visual vocabulary boards with high school students?
Using visual vocabulary boards with high school students makes abstract words more concrete, supports multiple learning styles, and boosts retention by connecting definitions to images and personal examples.
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