Visuwords is one of several interactive thesaurus applications that I’ve seen made available via the web. The basic concept of a visual thesaurus is to provide people with an interactive, online way to explore words and related words. After playing with the application, I’ve developed a few immediate uses for it in the classroom in conjunction with word study or vocabulary activities. Visuwords can be: (1) Used as a dictionary---If you hover over the key search word, it will provide a definition. (2) Used to help locate related or word substitutes (synonyms) as in a typical thesaurus. (3) Used for Grammar, Usage and Mechanics reinforcement. The color coding in the circle shows the part of speech of each word, Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb. Students can recognize when a word WILL fit in a sentence as it is a similar part of speech, and when it will not. (4) Used to give a great deal of exposure to process words like, is an instance of, is similar to, pertains to, attribut...
This blog is a tribute to my parents who are life long-learners and my students whose identity and world views I am responsible for nurturing in the span of 365 days.