Word Clouds
There are many different apps in which students can create word clouds. A word cloud is a cluster of words that the students type into the app. They can edit it to choose font, style, shape, color, and size. Some of the word cloud apps are Wordle, Tagxedo, and Tagul. I learned that Tagul works on the iPads and learned how it worked so I could teach my students. Then, I found out from our D90 tech site that the abcya.com word cloud was the only safe app for our students to use to create word clouds. Since it is very simplistic, another element was needed.
So, after the students added text about all of the people and things for which they are thankful during our social emotional learning time, I took their pictures in front of a green screen. Next time, I will use their iPads to take the photos. Using Do Ink, the pictures of the students and the word clouds were merged, and then printed. The students cut out the pictures and glued them on the front, and wrote notes of appreciation to their families and pasted them inside in what became a Thanksgiving card. Not only does this give them experience tap typing on their iPads which they need to learn how to do as we take PARCC tests on iPads, it gives them the opportunity to be creative. This is a project that I will definitely do again. If you would like to see more examples, please click here for a link to my website.
