WordSift

OK, now we understand that all teachers are responsible for vocabulary instruction.  As mentioned in the previous post, an important aspect of vocabulary instruction is in the selection of words to teach.  I have a web tool that can help you!

I first heard about wordsift.com this summer in our English/Language Arts PLC from Donna Beck, ESL teacher at South Asheboro Middle School.  It is a neat way to identify words key terms from a text to focus on for instruction.   Please watch the 5 minute video I embedded below to see how the site can be beneficial to your planning and teaching.  The video sample uses "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a text exemplar straight from Common Core State Standards.

~Chandra

Tagxedo: Word Cloud with Style

While Wordle is an excellent tool for celebrating key ideas and theme, Tagxedo actually creates a visual synthesis through the selection of a shape. For example, if Abraham Lincoln is the topic of an informational text sequence, students can choose a bust of Lincoln to enhance the theme or symbolism of the activity.

An interesting use of Tagxedo, and Wordle, is to take a constructed student response and create a word cloud. This powerful tool allows the learner and the instructor to see over-used words and/or applaud higher level vocabulary. For example, if the words 'the' or 'it' are the most pronounced, the visual connects students to the need for expanded vocabulary in writing. High frequency words can connect to theme or even begin a comparative conversation as to why the interpretation may vary by student.

Here is a link to instructions on using Tagxedo that will also connect you to the site: http://techietuesday.wikispaces.com/file/view/Tagxedo,+How+to.pdf

~Kathy Saunders, AHS English Teacher