Image courtesy of http://www.wordle.net/
Words are an important part of everyday language. We use them to express ourselves, explain a concept, document our feelings, write a grocery checklist, blog, create to-do lists, etc. I chose the tool Wordle, because it is centered on using words. In a classroom, this tool can serve for a number of purposes. My wordle above is an example of what you could do with your students. This would be an example for a Mothers Day gift. Students’ type in words that describe their mother and can then send this to them as a gift. This could also be done for Father’s Day or even a surprise gift for the school principal.
Another idea would be to write each students name on top of a piece of paper. Pass those papers around and have students write kind words that describe the students whose name is listed at the top of the paper. By the end, the teacher should have an entire collection of positive words for each student. The teacher can prepare by typing in the characteristics and attributes listed by the students themselves onto a wordle page. That way, when it is a student’s birthday, the teacher already has a class gift for them. It is a positive wordle that they can keep and treasure for many years to come.
In addition, it is common to have get-to-know-you activities at the beginning of the school year. Students can create a wordle that does not include their name. The teacher, or a randomly selected student, can read the wordle and the class can guess who the wordle is describing.
I am always looking for new ways for students to creatively write. This specific tool can also be used for other writing activities such as writing the class rules, key words in famous speeches, classroom polls, students’ expectations, or Kathy’s suggestion of using it to express/explore ones true identity.
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6 comments:
Sarah,
I love your idea about using Wordle in the classroom to create individual gifts for each student! What a great way to help kids understand that they are special and unique!
You could also print and hang up a Wordle page to highlight a "student of the week." The student could bring in some pictures or symbols that tell their classmates more about them! Way to go, Sarah!!
Sarah~
What awesome ideas for using Wordle as a "positive characteristic" tool!
I immediately thought of "Student of the Week" just like Abbie mentioned.
I really like the gift idea as well!!
Excellent work!
Sarah,
I, of course, have to agree with Abbie and Kathy. I love love love the idea of using Wordle to promote a positive classroom environment. Welcoming students into class and making them feel comfortable is important no matter what grade you teach. Making gifts for family members, teachers, or other students is also an awesome way to use Wordle. I've recently had the opportunity to have a classroom as a long term sub so I have yet to use Wordle. I definitely plan on using it soon though. Thanks for the great ideas!
Sarah,
I love Wordle, but even more, I love your idea of creating an individual student Wordle by having students describe their classmates. I have to agree with Kathy, this would be a fun "Student of the Week" activity. One student could be highlighted each week, so they all get highlighted. Wordle has so many endless options. Who would have thought that a word Website could be so much fun? This is a great way to demonstrate the power of words to students. I love it.
Sarah,
Wordle is one of my favorites. I imported all of our learning standards at each grade level and for each subject to share during PD. Teachers were amazed to see the words that popped out as important and consistent among our TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge Skills). Our district used to allow the use of Wordle, but just as use began to spread....they blocked it. I like your idea of the Wordle for each student with words of kindness. That is perfect. I always took a class picture once a month and if a student left, I would print one out, put it on construction paper and have all of the kids sign their name then give it to our leaving friend. It would have been great to include a Kindness Wordle also. Great idea!
Hodge you are so awesome. Everyday its a struggle to engage our students and if you want to be an affective educator new innovative way to keep their interest must. I have used Wordle in the past and the few ideas that you mentioned are great ways to incorporate technology and creativity among our youth. Many of these web2.0 tools that we are being exposed and introduced to are making teaching sooo much fun for. I go to sleep thinking of ways to use them.
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