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. For this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates terms that are commonly used in India and Pakistan, and are used frequently in The Night Diary.
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.
Example Vocabulary from The Night Diary
Bindi: A dot Hindu women sometimes wear in the center of their forehead to signify different things such as religion, class, and marital status.
Cricket: A popular game using a bat and a ball played commonly in India, Pakistan, and many other countries.
Dadi: A Hindu word for one’s paternal grandmother.
Dal: A stew made of split lentils or split peas and spices.
Dhoti: A garment for males that consists of a piece of fabric that wraps around the waist and covers the legs.
Diwali: A popular Hindu holiday that takes place over five days. It is a festival of lights and signifies the triumph of light over darkness.
Hindu: A follower of Hinduism, which is the world’s oldest organized religion that is still practiced today. Hindus believe in several deities and writings, and the majority of Hindus live in India today.
Kheer: A sweet pudding usually made with rice and milk and flavored with saffron, raisins, or nuts.
Khol: Eye makeup.
Muslim: One who follows the religion of Islam. Muslims follow the words of the Quran, and primarily live in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Punjab: A province in British-ruled India that was split into two parts, one belonging to India, and the other belonging to Pakistan. It was an area of horrible riots and violence during the time of Partition.
Rupee: The basic unit of money in India and Pakistan.
Samosa: A small triangular shaped fried pastry filled with spiced vegetables or meat.
Sari: A decorative garment worn by women that is wrapped a certain way around the body.
Sikh: A follower of Sikhism, which originated in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. The majority of Sikhs live in Punjab, India.
Sitar: A fretted string instrument played in Indian music.
Topi: A circular prayer cap worn by Muslim men in India and Pakistan.
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 the meaning of vocabulary from The Night Diary.
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. For this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates terms that are commonly used in India and Pakistan, and are used frequently in The Night Diary.
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.
Example Vocabulary from The Night Diary
Bindi: A dot Hindu women sometimes wear in the center of their forehead to signify different things such as religion, class, and marital status.
Cricket: A popular game using a bat and a ball played commonly in India, Pakistan, and many other countries.
Dadi: A Hindu word for one’s paternal grandmother.
Dal: A stew made of split lentils or split peas and spices.
Dhoti: A garment for males that consists of a piece of fabric that wraps around the waist and covers the legs.
Diwali: A popular Hindu holiday that takes place over five days. It is a festival of lights and signifies the triumph of light over darkness.
Hindu: A follower of Hinduism, which is the world’s oldest organized religion that is still practiced today. Hindus believe in several deities and writings, and the majority of Hindus live in India today.
Kheer: A sweet pudding usually made with rice and milk and flavored with saffron, raisins, or nuts.
Khol: Eye makeup.
Muslim: One who follows the religion of Islam. Muslims follow the words of the Quran, and primarily live in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Punjab: A province in British-ruled India that was split into two parts, one belonging to India, and the other belonging to Pakistan. It was an area of horrible riots and violence during the time of Partition.
Rupee: The basic unit of money in India and Pakistan.
Samosa: A small triangular shaped fried pastry filled with spiced vegetables or meat.
Sari: A decorative garment worn by women that is wrapped a certain way around the body.
Sikh: A follower of Sikhism, which originated in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. The majority of Sikhs live in Punjab, India.
Sitar: A fretted string instrument played in Indian music.
Topi: A circular prayer cap worn by Muslim men in India and Pakistan.
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 the meaning of vocabulary from The Night Diary.
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 The Night Diary Visual Vocabulary
Engage students with vocabulary games to reinforce new words
Incorporate fun, interactive games like Vocabulary Bingo, Charades, or Pictionary using the key terms from The Night Diary. These activities boost excitement and help students practice and remember vocabulary in a playful way.
Encourage peer teaching through vocabulary presentations
Assign students to small groups and have each group teach a set of vocabulary words to the class using creative presentations, such as skits, posters, or digital slides. Peer teaching helps deepen understanding and builds confidence.
Integrate vocabulary into daily writing prompts
Ask students to use new vocabulary in short daily journal entries or quick writes. This encourages practical usage and helps students connect terms to their own experiences.
Connect vocabulary to students’ backgrounds and cultures
Invite students to share if any vocabulary words relate to their own lives or cultures. Class discussions about personal connections make learning more meaningful and build classroom community.
Assess understanding with creative vocabulary projects
Offer students choices for end-of-unit projects, such as creating a vocabulary comic strip, board game, or illustrated glossary. Creative assessments allow students to demonstrate mastery in ways that fit their strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Night Diary Visual Vocabulary
What is a visual vocabulary activity for The Night Diary?
A visual vocabulary activity for The Night Diary involves students defining and illustrating key terms from the book, helping them better understand both the vocabulary and the story's cultural context.
How can I help students learn vocabulary from The Night Diary?
You can help students by having them preview, discuss, define, and illustrate important terms before or after reading each chapter, using storyboards or visual mapping tools for engagement and retention.
Why is teaching cultural vocabulary important in The Night Diary unit?
Teaching cultural vocabulary is important because it builds students' background knowledge, deepens comprehension, and fosters respect for the diverse settings and characters in The Night Diary.
What are some examples of key vocabulary words from The Night Diary?
Examples of key vocabulary include bindi, cricket, dadi, dal, diwali, rupee, samosa, sari, and sitar, all terms that reflect the story's Indian and Pakistani context.
What is the best way to assess students’ understanding of The Night Diary vocabulary?
The best way is to have students create visual vocabulary boards where they define, illustrate, and explain terms, either as a preview activity or as an assessment at the end of a chapter.
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