Words as Art

If you'd like to explore a new way to illustrate the beauty in words, then you might like to make a Wordle!  Wordle is a program that creates "word clouds" from text.  It's free, easy to use, and accessible at www.wordle.net. 

To create a Wordle, simply choose a set of words to import, and then select an arrangement, font, and color combination you like the best.  If a word is repeated within your imported set, it will appear larger in the resulting word cloud, so it's fun to experiment with different combinations.  I'm finding that Wordles have endless applications, especially in the classroom.

You can import any set of words into Wordle: a favorite poem, a speech, a story.  Here is a Wordle of the U.S. Constitution:

In September, I asked fourth and fifth grade students in room 15 to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about themselves, their hobbies, favorite books, etc.,) then entered their responses into the Wordle program.  I think you'll agree that the results appear as varied and distinctive as the students themselves.

It was a great "get to know each other" activity, and the students had fun reading each others' Wordles when we put them on display in the classroom.

The activity had a slightly different purpose last year in Kindergarten, when I created individual Wordles as a farewell gift for the students at the end of the school year.





For the Kindergarteners, in addition to their questionnaire responses, I included words and phrases that they had used during the year in class. The result was a personalized Whole Language resource of meaningful words that they could practice reading over the summer. 

To see other Wordles, and to make one yourself, go to www.wordle.net.  You can print or save your creations, or choose to share them online in the Wordle gallery.

Try it out, and let me know what you think!

With Appreciation...

This week, the students in Room 15 participated in the Holiday Mail For Heroes program by writing letters and crafting greeting cards for active and injured members of the U.S. military, veterans, and their families.  

This seemed like an appropriate way to acknowledge Veterans Day, share gratitude in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, explore the "Making A Difference" theme of our new Language Arts unit, and refresh student letter writing and design skills.

If you'd like to take part in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program, check the above link for guidelines, and plan to mail your cards and letters no later than December 9.

Be well!

sick  (adj.) /'sik/  

1.   affected with disease or ill health : ailing

2.   of, relating to, or intended for use in sickness <sick pay> <a sick ward> 

Take it from someone who spent last week in bed with the flu, getting sick is an experience to avoid! To limit the spread of germs (at home and in the classroom):

• wash your hands frequently with soap
• sneeze and cough into a tissue or elbow
• avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes

But don't just take it from me; listen to the experts who are more persuasive and cuter than I:

 (If you have trouble playing it, try this link instead: kidsknowhowtopreventflu.)

Still not convinced?  Here's a gross-out video showing the consequences of NOT sneezing into your elbow or a tissue.  

 (Here's the link in case you have trouble viewing: slowmotionsneezing.)

Finally, if you DO get a cold or flu, stay home from school or work, drink fluids, get rest, and take my esteemed colleague Bazzie's advice: GET A NEW TOOTHBRUSH!

For more on the flu, symptoms, treatment and prevention, refer to the Center For Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.

And stay well, people!