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 The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.
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. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher’s discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition and an illustration that depicts the meaning. 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 The Miracle Worker
- bleat
- indolent
- oculist
- impudence
- facetiously
- unperturbed
- iota
- confining
- ignorance
- trifle
- desiccated
- mockery
- basin
- evades
- impaired
- intervene
- contention
- simultaneously
- tantrum
- bewildered
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 storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary in The Miracle Worker.
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 The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.
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. Students will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teacher’s discretion. Each cell will contain a term, its definition and an illustration that depicts the meaning. 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 The Miracle Worker
- bleat
- indolent
- oculist
- impudence
- facetiously
- unperturbed
- iota
- confining
- ignorance
- trifle
- desiccated
- mockery
- basin
- evades
- impaired
- intervene
- contention
- simultaneously
- tantrum
- bewildered
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 storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary in The Miracle Worker.
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 Key Vocabulary in The Miracle Worker
How to Differentiate Vocabulary Instruction for Diverse Learners
Adapt vocabulary tasks to match individual learning needs so every student can participate meaningfully. Offering choices, scaffolds, and tiered supports ensures all students—from struggling readers to advanced learners—can access and master key terms from The Miracle Worker.
Group students based on readiness or language proficiency.
Organize students into small groups according to their vocabulary skills or English proficiency. Homogeneous groups allow you to target instruction and support students at their own pace.
Assign tiered vocabulary lists to match group needs.
Select 3–5 words that fit each group’s level. Advanced groups can tackle more challenging terms, while emergent learners focus on high-utility words.
Provide multiple options for showing understanding.
Let students choose how to demonstrate vocabulary knowledge: drawings, skits, digital slides, or oral explanations. This boosts engagement and honors diverse strengths.
Use sentence frames and word banks for support.
Offer sentence starters and accessible vocabulary banks to scaffold writing and speaking about terms. These tools help all students use new words in context.
Celebrate growth with quick check-ins and positive feedback.
Check in with students as they work and praise effort and progress. Highlight improvements in vocabulary use to build confidence and motivation!
Frequently Asked Questions about Key Vocabulary in The Miracle Worker
What are effective ways to teach key vocabulary from The Miracle Worker?
Effective ways to teach key vocabulary from The Miracle Worker include using visual storyboard activities, group discussions, and having students define and illustrate each term. This hands-on approach boosts comprehension and retention of new words.
How can I create a visual vocabulary board for The Miracle Worker?
To create a visual vocabulary board, select 3–5 key terms, write their definitions, and add student-made illustrations that show each word’s meaning. Organize these into a storyboard or spider map for easy reference.
Why is it important to introduce vocabulary before reading The Miracle Worker?
Introducing vocabulary before reading helps students better understand and engage with the text, making it easier to follow the story and grasp deeper meanings as they encounter key terms in context.
What are some example vocabulary words from The Miracle Worker?
Examples of key vocabulary from The Miracle Worker include bleat, indolent, impudence, oculist, bewildered, and tantrum. These words enhance students' understanding of the play’s language and themes.
What is a storyboard activity for vocabulary, and how does it help students?
A storyboard activity involves students defining vocabulary terms and illustrating them visually. This process supports active learning and helps students master new words by connecting definitions with imagery.
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