Tagxedo Word Clouds, how to use in class.

When I first run into Tagxedo I was really amazed by the beauty of the images that I could produce, however I had little insight of how to use it in class. I have to admit I gave it a LOT of thought, because my time in class is very limited and tight and I didn't want to use this website just for show - off. I wanted it to be worthwhile. Giving the children something to do with the language they learn is the best way for them to learn, there is no doubt about that. Moreover their ability to use technology is undeniable, it gives them satisfaction and the false idea that they are actually playing, not doing homework. So I came up with a bunch of activities that we can do in class using Tagxedo and I am thinking of gradually introducing them to our lessons, depending on the aim, time availability and of course the children's age. 

Here are some of the ways you can use Tagxedo to teach vocabulary: 

Vocabulary Introduction:

1. While eliciting new vocabulary, ask on of the students to act like your helper. As you elicit, ask the helper to type the new words in Tagxedo, then the whole class decides on the colours, shape, font and theme of your new word cloud. You can even divide your new vocabulary into categories: Nouns, Adjectives, Verbs and so on. 

Ways to use the clouds: 

• You can use these clouds for sentence construction activities, in which a child picks a word they know and the rest of them have to produce a correct sentence using that word. 
• You can play Red Word Green Word. Divide the class in two groups. Ask one student to act as the game host. The host randomly picks words from the white board, then the teams take turns either producing a correct sentence, or giving the definition of the chosen word. Each team notes down the words they have used correctly. When they make a mistake, they loose five words. The game finishes when all the words are used. 

2. You can also make the word clouds before the class is introduced to the new vocabulary. In your cloud, include the word definitions in the mother tongue. Ask the children to identify and connect the definitions to the words. 

Vocabulary homework

1. You can also use these clouds for vocabulary practice, if you have a website or blog that you can upload your clouds. Give each child some word definitions in their native language. Ask them to go to your page, find the equivalent English word in the cloud and produce a short text or sentences using the words they found. 

2. Ask the children to make their own clouds at home as copying practice. Typing the words in can be very helpful for them in order to remember the spelling. It would be a good idea to ask them to type the list in Word first, spell check and then copy paste the words in Tagxedo. 

Depending on the age, you can even ask them to download their clouds and send them to you via e-mail. 

Here are some word cloud examples I have made for my FCE students using Tagxedo. The words are used can also be found in my Spelling City page, so have a look and tell me what you think! 

Teacher Education: When Teachers Never Stop Being Students or Seven Books Every Teacher Should Read.

As teachers we spend a lot of time reading and correcting other people's work, preparing for our next lessons and grading the ability of our students to perform. However, we some times tend to forget that we belong in that category of professionals that can never stop studying themselves. Teacher education is something that we tend to neglect either because we rarely have time to join online courses or read for ourselves or because teacher training books are considerably overpriced and can't be easily found in countries like mine. Some of us are lucky enough to be able to afford a second master's degree or even a doctorate, but the rest of us have to do with reading and re-educating themselves over and over again.  In this attempt the Internet has been my valuable friend and supporter. There are numerous sites that offer free online programmes that offer insight and advice from qualified teacher trainers. What is more nowadays us teachers can find books to buy online in considerably lower prices than in the bookstores. 

What follows is my top seven books that have helped me the most and that I turn to from time to time when in doubt.

1. Music and Song By Tim Murphy

As a student I was very certain that listening to music improved my vocabulary and confidence in the target language. I seemed to remember words, structures and phrases much better when they were embedded in one of my favourite songs. In his book, though an old publication, Tim Murphy shows us how to integrate popular music in our lesson plans in order to strengthen certain language skills. I personally love this book. 

2. Language Testing in Practice: Designing and Developing Useful Language Tests by Lyle F. Bachman and Adrian S. Palmer

How can we be sure we test our students correctly? This book offers the theoretical base behind ESL testing as well as practical advise. 

3. Computer Applications in Second Language Acquisition, Cambridge Applied Linguistics, by Carole Chapelle 

Photo via Amazon

4. Grammar Games: Cognitive, Affective and Drama Activities for EFL students by Mario Rinvolucri

5. How to Teach Grammar by Scott Thornbury

Photo via Amazon 

6. Beginning Syntax by Linda Thomas 

Know your syntax before you can teach it. 

Photo via Amazon

7. Learner Contributions to Language Learning, Applied Linguistics and Language Study edited by Michael Breen, general editor Christopher N. Candlin

I am specifically attached to this one since it reminds me so much of my student years. I was lucky enough to have met Michael Breen since he was my Professor during my MsC. He is one insightful linguist and a charismatic teacher. 

Vintage Alphabet Books Revisited

I have always been a fan of rare, vintage and out of print books, however their cost has never been within my reach. This is why is love Project Gutenberg, an online community dedicated to making rare and out of print books accessible to people. I spend many hours browsing through their catalogues for vintage books I can't find where I live. I read a lot of e-books, not because I prefer them to paperbacks, but because they are easier to find and they definitely cost less. Anyway, today I though of looking through their calligraphy and lettering section and I stumbled upon a collection of  antique alphabet books for children. I was amazed by how witty and well made they were, and I thought I should share some of them with you!

My first find was Kate Greenaway's A Apple Pie. It is  an alphabet book with a short of a story. Kate Greenaway managed to deliver a new sense of the alphabet. The children learn the letters while compiling, sentence by sentence ,a story. Her beautiful illustrations are witty and colourful. 

My second find is Dame Wonder's Amusing Alphabet. The moment I saw the following photo, I just knew I had to make my own alphabet book. Of course it is not going to have that vintage look but I bet it is something my students will enjoy. 

The Absurd ABC, has a funny, witty disposition we don't find in alphabet books these days. 

Next I came across with Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes by Crane, Gilbert, Tenniel, Weir, and Zwecker. It is a compilation of the most popular nursery rhymes but is also offers really breathtaking illustrations. I really like the fact that letters are personified and that aspects of one's personality that would be characterised as negative are depicted with great sense of Humour. They remind me of Edward Gorey. 

Finally I came across with a book so aesthetically pleasing that I have to get a copy of this somehow! It is called the Fire Side Picture Alphabet, and it is certainly one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. The colours are amazing and the text so well written, I wish I was a child when it was first published. 

The little sweep has washed his face,

But not as we advise;

For black as soot he's made the soap,

And rubbed it in his eyes.

Here's Master Mack presenting fruit,

Of which he makes display;

He knows he'll soon have Lucy's rope,

And with it skip away.

Here's Topsy-Turvy, upside down,

The ceiling seems the base;

Reverse the ground and 'twill be found

The things are out of place.

All these wonderful pictures from books made me want to start my own alphabet book and card series which is now under way. Of course they are not going to look like that... However given the help of some good people that have made several fonts and released them as public domain fonts, I was able to get started. My first attempt is already finished. All that remains is for me to print them out and get started preparing them for my lessons!