Wildwood Dancing
Vocabulary Squares
to be used with chapter nine
Purpose
This strategy is designed to help students better comprehend the rich and descriptive
vocabulary that Juliet Marillier uses in Wildwood Dancing. Vocabulary Squares allow students to
explore not only the definition of vocabulary words, but to also understand how to use them in a
sentence, and how to create visuals that will help them remember the meaning of the words.
Directions
Give students the handout and then model this strategy by choosing a word from the book,
but not the vocabulary list. For example, you could use the word “portal” a possible vocabulary
word from a previous chapter in the book. Divide a piece of paper into four sections labeled: Word,
Definition, Picture and Sentence, as in the example below.
WORD
PICTURE
portal
DEFINITION
SENTENCE
A door or entrance, especially a grand or
imposing one.
I passed through the mysterious portal, and
found myself in another world.
Demonstrate for the students how to find the definition of the word, how to create a visual
that will help them remember the word, and how to write a sentence that shows they have a strong
understanding of what the word means and how it functions in written text. You can have students
look up the definition on their own, or you can give them the definition.
Assessment
Evans, BYU, 2008
The students should have created a vocabulary square for every word on the list. You should
check their definitions if you did not provide the definition for them, and check their sentences to
make sure that that the students are using the word correctly in context. Participation points would
be appropriate for this assignment, but have students rewrite any sentences where the word is used
incorrectly. As an adjoining activity you can have students pair up into groups of three or four and
share the sentences that they wrote. You could have each group pick a different word from the list
and combine their sentences and ideas and then teach that word to the rest of the class.
Vocabulary List for Chapter Nine
Grope – v. To feel about blindly or uncertainly. To search for something
Eldritch – adj. Weird or eerie.
Urge – n. An impulse or force that drives you towards a goal
Malevolent – adj. Capable of causing harm or evil. Having ill will, spite, or hatred
Cavort – v. To leap and dance in a lively way
Motley – adj. Made up of diverse or strangely different elements
Derisive – adj. Expressing scorn or contempt
Precipitate – adj. Hasty, unexpected, rash
Skewer – v. To pierce with something sharp
Insinuate – v. To suggest something in an indirect, or even stealthy way
Demeanor – n. Outward manner, or your behavior towards others
Evans, BYU, 2008
Wildwood Dancing
Vocabulary Squares
Chapter Nine
grope
eldritch
urge
malevolent
cavort
motley
derisive
precipitate
skewer
insinuate
demeanor
Directions
Using eleven half sheets of paper, divide each half into four parts. Label the four parts,
word, definition, picture, sentence. Using each of the above vocabulary words you will create your
vocabulary squares. Write the definition of the word, draw a picture that represents the word or that
will help you to remember the word, then write a sentence that uses the word correctly and
demonstrates your knowledge of what the word means. When you are finished your cards should
look something like this:
WORD
PICTURE
portal
DEFINITION
SENTENCE
n. A door or entrance, especially a grand or
imposing one.
I passed through the mysterious portal, and
found myself in another world.
When you are finished you will be sharing your sentences and your pictures with your peers so make
them interesting!
Evans, BYU, 2008
Evans, BYU, 2008
Evans, BYU, 2008