“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
Another great way to engage your students is with storyboards that use vocabulary from the Out of my Mind book. Have students research the definition using online dictionaries. Once the proper definition for the context in which it is used in the book is found, create a three-cell spider map. One cell will contain the definition. A second cell will show how the word might be used/seen in the real world. The last cell will show how the word is depicted or represented in the book.
Here are a few vocabulary words commonly taught with the book, and an example of a visual vocabulary board.
(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 Out of My Mind by creating visualizations.
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards
(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. |
Another great way to engage your students is with storyboards that use vocabulary from the Out of my Mind book. Have students research the definition using online dictionaries. Once the proper definition for the context in which it is used in the book is found, create a three-cell spider map. One cell will contain the definition. A second cell will show how the word might be used/seen in the real world. The last cell will show how the word is depicted or represented in the book.
Here are a few vocabulary words commonly taught with the book, and an example of a visual vocabulary board.
(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 Out of My Mind by creating visualizations.
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards
(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. |
Boost classroom participation by integrating interactive games that reinforce new vocabulary. These activities make learning fun and help students remember key terms from Out of My Mind more effectively.
Select 8–12 vocabulary words from the current reading section. Mix challenging and familiar words to keep all students engaged and on their toes.
Divide the class into teams of 3–4. Teamwork encourages discussion, sharing ideas, and supports students who might need extra help.
Clarify how the game works. For example, in 'Vocabulary Charades,' students act out words without speaking while teammates guess. In 'Word Relay,' teams race to define or use a word in a sentence. Keep instructions simple and positive to build excitement.
Recognize all teams for participation and share correct answers as a group. Discuss tricky words and offer praise to students for creative thinking and teamwork.
A visual vocabulary board for Out of My Mind is an activity where students choose vocabulary words from the book and create illustrated spider maps showing the word's definition, how it's used in real life, and how it appears in the story.
You can make vocabulary lessons engaging by having students create visual spider maps for selected words, using scenes, characters, or images to show meaning and context from the book.
Common vocabulary words from Out of My Mind include iridescent, amble, bulge, seizure, curvature, gobble, and mannequin, among others.
Ask students to pick a word, find its definition, write a real-world example sentence, and illustrate each aspect in three cells: definition, real-life use, and book context.
Visual vocabulary boards help middle school students deepen understanding by connecting words to images, real-life applications, and story context, making learning interactive and memorable.
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher