Visualize Word Defining

Looking for a neat new way to look up word definitions?  Try  Visuwords!  While browsing through one of my most favorite teacher blogs ever, (Your Smarticles....check it out!!) I noticed Mrs. Howard's recommendation of the site.  She had used it with her class in several different ways as a dictionary, thesaurus, grammar guide, and more.  I would recommend it for grades 5-12 teachers.

To use Visuwords, simply type in a word that you want to look up and then watch as you are able to interact with and explore the word to find new meaning and related terms.  TO read a full definition, hover over a word, to expand on a related term, just double click on it and watch as your word web grows.  Move the "bubbles", as I'll call them, around on the page and zoom in or out to adjust your view.

Try using it with your vocab list today!

(screen shot from looking up "suspense"...click for larger view.)

Online Word Searches

 Looking for word searches that you can use on your Interactive Whiteboard?  Here's a couple:

Online Word Search has a few hundred pre-made word searches that you can complete online.  Choose from different categories to match what you are doing in your curriculum.  I like how the words are sometimes a little challenging...making for a great vocabulary-expanding teachable moment.

Freeology offers a Make Your Own Word Search tool that creates a simple word search, perfect for use on your Interactive Board.  Simply list the words you would like to include and then use the tabs above the gadget to customize further, if so desired.  Once you create a puzzle, it appears in a new window or tab and you use the cross hairs to locate and highlight words.  Once found, the question mark by the word in the list disappears.  The only downfall is that the puzzles cannot be saved.  So, make sure you print them out if you would like to keep them before you reload the page or close your browser. 

Happy searching!

Kerpoof!

Kerpoof is a site hosted by Disney that is a great place for young students to be make pictures, write stories, practice spelling, and generally get creative!  Here's a list of what students can do on Kerpoof, straight from the website itself:

• Make artwork (even if you aren't good at drawing!)
• Make an animated movie (really! it's easy!)
• Earn Koins which you can trade for fun things in the Kerpoof Store
• Make a printed card, t-shirt, or mug
• Tell a story
• Make a drawing
• Vote on the movies, stories, and drawings that other people have made 

 

 See what your students think!

Free Rice...Trivia Fighting Starvation

Here is a site that is doubly beneficial.  Free Rice is a site that allows students to practice questions from many areas such as English vocabulary, pre-algebra, multiplication tables, art history, chemistry symbols, geography, and foreign language.  Users are presented with one question at a time, and for each correct answer, 10 grains of rice are promised to be delivered to hungry people around the world.  How could you go wrong?  Your students get to practice their skills in the provided areas all while helping to make a charitable donation!  Get donating today!

Make a Word Mosaic

Today I've got a site that is a combination of ELA and art!  Students could use this tool to enhance their book reports, poetry, lyrics, or speeches.  Simply put in some text, choose the shape and color of your mosaic and you have a wonderful piece of art!

Image Chef - Word Mosaic
Here's an example I did with a few ideas for what this tool could help students gain: