Dual Purpose Word Clouds- Learning Tool and Fun

Utilization of Word Clouds in the Classroom

Teachers are often trying to find ways to engage students through unique activities.  One of the easy ways to do that is by implementing word clouds into a lesson.  Below are three different ways word clouds can be used in the classroom.

1. Make a self-portrait- At the beginning of the year, students can create a word cloud using words that are attributes of themselves.  They can use a person silhouette as the image they’re filling with text.  

2. Comparison Activity- Because the word cloud creates a strong visual depending on how it’s designed, students can utilize them as a way of comparing two things. For example: comparing two types of governments.  The student would create two word clouds, side by side, comparing leadership, voting styles (if any), location, law making, etc.

3. Make a book cover- Students can create a word cloud as a book cover following the reading of a book.  If the whole class or reading group read the same book, this assignment can showcase the students’ interpretation of the book through their word clouds.  The students can also choose this option to showcase a book they read individually.