“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
As students read, they'll often encounter vocabulary they're unfamiliar with. A great way to engage them with new words is Another great way to engage your students is through the creation of visual vocabulary boards. In the vocabulary board students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary word, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words. Below are some suggested words that are most commonly taught with "Masque of the Red Death".
(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 "The Masque of the Red Death" by creating visualizations.
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)
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. |
As students read, they'll often encounter vocabulary they're unfamiliar with. A great way to engage them with new words is Another great way to engage your students is through the creation of visual vocabulary boards. In the vocabulary board students can choose between coming up with their use of the vocabulary word, finding the specific example from the text, or depicting it without words. Below are some suggested words that are most commonly taught with "Masque of the Red Death".
(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 "The Masque of the Red Death" by creating visualizations.
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)
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. |
Create a dedicated space in your classroom for new vocabulary words. This makes learning words visible and interactive for all students. Use colorful cards, student-created visuals, and definitions to encourage daily review and engagement.
Present each vocabulary word in a sentence from the text. Encourage students to guess the meaning using surrounding clues. This strategy helps students develop inference skills and strengthens reading comprehension.
Assign students to small groups and give each group a set of vocabulary words. Let each group teach their words to the class using creative presentations, skits, or visuals. Peer teaching boosts confidence and reinforces understanding.
Start class with a short game like charades, Pictionary, or matching activities using the vocabulary words. Fun repetition helps words stick and keeps students motivated.
Visual vocabulary boards are an effective strategy for teaching 'The Masque of the Red Death' vocabulary to grades 6-12. Students choose words, define them, use them in sentences, and illustrate their meanings, helping reinforce understanding through creative engagement.
To create a visual vocabulary board, pick three key words from the story, write their definitions, use each in a sentence, and illustrate their meanings through drawings or relevant images. This helps students connect text and visuals for deeper learning.
Focus on high-impact words like pestilence, buffoon, dauntless, sagacious, ingress, egress, and contagion. These are commonly taught and central to understanding the story's themes and events.
Example: The castle was sealed tightly to keep the deadly pestilence from entering. This sentence shows how 'pestilence' refers to a spreading, destructive disease in the context of the story.
Illustrations or photos make abstract vocabulary terms concrete, support visual learners, and help students remember meanings by tying them to memorable images or scenes from the story.
“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