Ways to Use Wordle

So... I know many of us have used Wordle for powerpoints, to fill space on websites or to look fancy during a staff presentation, but there are some great uses for your students too.  Here are some of my thoughts:
- Character trait Worlde for a main character
- Synonym/ Antonym activity
- Vocabulary scramble
- Guess Who game by creating individual Wordles then viewing them as a class and have the students guess (Community building activity)
- Like Vicki mentioned in her comment... Unit ending activity
- Brainstorming

... the list could continue.  Please share if you have more ideas that come to mind! -KC

Wordle

Wordle is a website (http://www.wordle.net/) that allows users to input a list of words then generates a mash up of words.  One helpful note about Wordle is that the more you type a word, the bigger it becomes in the "word cloud".  The font, color and shape of the "word cloud" can be changed.  Word to the wise....  your Java needs to be updated for the Wordle to generate!  -KC

BrainPop Jr. in the Classroom

So... BrainPop Jr. is a very common tool I use in my classroom.  The students love the videos and I do too.  The average length of the videos is about 4 minutes and I find that Annie's questions often mimic questions I ask.  The students are motivated by the colorful videos and silly things Moby does.  I can assess my students based on the videos and the content by using the available resources.  Sometimes BrainPop Jr. doesn't have everything I'm looking for, but their selection is fairly wide.  -KC

BrainPop Jr.

BrainPop Jr... the brain child of BrainPop.  I'm a huge fan of BrainPop Jr.  This website (http://www.brainpopjr.com/) does require a subscription which is usually purchased by a school/system.  This site is a collection of animated videos hosted by a little girl named Annie and her seemingly clueless robot friend, Moby.  As Annie explains concepts, ideas or material to Moby (and the viewer) she pauses and asks questions that engage the viewer in deeper thinking.  There is a wide range of videos and subjects available.  Videos also come with related materials like worksheets, quizzes and lessons. -KC

Jigsaw in the Classroom

This website may not have direct connections to curriculum however I can think of a few ways that it can be incorporated into the classroom.

- indoor recess station (quick clean up, quiet activity)
- positive behavior incentive (could be used to support a student's individualized behavior plan as a "break" or "reward")
- introduction/ice breaker activity (putting the puzzle together reviles a new topic/activity/unit)
- vocabulary activity
- grouping exercise


** Also to answer a question from the comments on the prior post, if you were to edit a photograph by adding text or information, then you would be able to upload that image to Jigsaw Planet. -KC

Jigsaw Planet

Mary Kate and I stumbled across this awesome website called http://www.jigsawplanet.com/.

It's an awesome website that allows you to complete puzzles online by moving the puzzle pieces around the board.  There is an opportunity for you to create your own puzzles of your own pictures.  The size of pieces can be changed to make the puzzle easier or more difficult.

Here is an example of a puzzle I created:

Check back for ideas for classroom usage! -KC

Kahoot in the Classroom

Flashback.... to two weeks ago when the mystery classmate in AD 662 stood up to give his presentation.  Parts of the classroom predicted that his presentation would take about 3 minutes and 12 seconds while the other side of the classroom was checking e-mail or facebook until he popped up the Kahoot code screen.  Almost immediately the entire classroom of uninterested and preoccupied adult students were a buzz.  "Wait, what's the website," "What do I type," "WAIT!!! I'm not ready!!!" were all things that were being shouted from one side of the room to the other.

What does this mean for your classroom?

Engagement!

Using Kahoot in the classroom is a way to engage students and gather data quickly.  I could see using this in my classroom in many ways, however, my school does not have a 1:1 program or a BYOD program therefore we would need to check out a mobile lab or take a trip to the computer lab.

- exit tickets
- quizzes
- attendance questions
- ice breakers
- review games
- back to school night

Please share any other classroom ideas you have! -KC