(image created via screenshot of Visuwords mapping of "technology")
My students in my fourth grade practicum class are always asking my cooperating teacher and I about the origins and meanings of the words we study. Instead of answering with "I don't know" or directing students towards dictionaries and thesauri, we could use Visuwords to create interactive concept maps of new and familiar words.
Using Visuwords is quite simple. To create a concept map of a specific word, you or a student may enter it into the search engine or you have the option of mapping random word. Visuwords uses different colors of bubbles and connector arrows to illustrate different meanings of words, contexts of words, and parts of speech. For words that have a more wide array of defining or related terms, it is possible for the user to zoom in and out while toggling around the screen.
I could envision a teacher using Visuwords as an avenue for introducing new words and the depth of language. By teaching students the origins and roots of words, they are better equipped to more easily independently define new words in their reading. Learning roots and origins of words also makes students better spellers. A teacher could also use Visuwords in extension activities. In word study, students can use Visuwords to establish broader frames of reference for already familiar words or new words.
Visuwords can also be used to support a variety of different extension activities. For example, a 3rd-5th grade teacher could have students create their own word maps in Kidspiration or a similar software modeled after a word map created in Visuwords. In addition, 4th or 5th grade students could use a Visuwords map to introduce a term in a presentation or at the beginnings of new thematic units. Learning about word roots and origins are usually characteristic of upper grades but I would be interested to hear ideas about using Visuwords in Kindergarten - 2nd grade.
Visuwords is a helpful website for enhancing student knowledge about the currency of words used daily to ascribe meaning to every day life.
To see for yourself - navigate your browser to www.visuwords.com
