This document provides many ways that the website Wordle can be used in the classroom. Wordle allows users to create a graphic representation of words used in a text by making frequently used words appear larger. Some suggested uses are to have students make Wordles of speeches, class rules, book characters, or to review vocabulary. Wordles can be printed or used on mugs, posters or other gifts. Additional effects can be added by using graphics software. Other blogs and websites provide more Wordle project ideas.

1. Ways To Use Wordle
In Your Classroom

2. What is Wordle http://www.wordle.net/
a graphic representation of most frequently used words.
in a speech, in a poem, in a book, in your head,
in scripture, in historical document, on a blog,
in a wiki, overhead in your classroom,
on twitter/plurk, at a presentation or staff meeting,
and more!
However, it is NOT limited to only frequently used words --
you can create a wordle to be what you wish the wordle to
be.

3. Expand Wordle
If you use a screen capture tool (such as
Jing) and online venues (such as BigHugeLabs
or SmugMug) you can create some one-of-a-
kind gifts, posters, and more.
http://www.jingproject.com/
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/
http://www.smugmug.com/

4. Wordle Hints
•Retype the words you wish emphasized 2 to
3 more times than the other words to make
them stand out
•Use a ~ between words to group words
together such as We~The~People
•Look through your font choices
•Under layout – you can determine the
maximum word usage. Can make your wordle
truly POP!

5. Teacher Appreciation
Have students brainstorm thoughts and memories about
their teacher. Print as poster, mousepad, or magnet.

6. Mother's Day/Father's Day
After children create wordle, place the image on a
mug. Or use fabric transfer paper and make a tie.

7. Famous Speeches
You can find a collection of speeches at
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/previous.htm

8. Class Rules
Create your listing of rules or let students create their
list. Print as a poster or desk reminders.

9. Student Names
Doublecheck and triplecheck you have EVERYONE before
printing.

10. Correct Way To Spell
Start a list each month of frequently misspelled
words, change your wordle each month & compare.

11. Ways To Say Things Differently
This can be done in a variety of ways including using the =
sign. Such as cat=katze or synonyms/antonyms

12. Characters In A Book
Using a graphics program
(PaintShopPro, PhotoShop, Pixie2, Paint) you can add
images to your wordle.

13. Artwork Reflection
Overlay students reflections on a piece of artwork -- a
famous artist or your own classroom artists.

14. State Reports
Create a unique state report, country report, animal
report……….any report.

15. Classroom Lesson
Turn your spelling book or grammar lessons into a wordle
of review.

16. Poetry
Have your students find (or create) a picture that shows
a poem. Customize the wordle coloring palette.

17. Tell Me About……
Take a well known item (Olympic rings, maps, household
item, etc) and create a wordle inside the object.

18. Guess The Book…
Have your students create book jackets based on
characters, plots, and locations w/in a book.

19. Review A Historical Document
Have students review a document & pull out the words
they feel should be emphasized!

20. Create a Memory
This idea was use in Texas on June 12, 2009. It could
also be used for class subjects or field trip memories.

21. Information Review
Clipart courtesy FCIT: http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/

22. Special Effects Information
Many people have asked how I created the special
effects (such as overlays of artwork)
I enjoy the software Paint Shop Pro … and within paint
shop pro (or any graphics program) – you can create layers
in which to manipulate your artwork.
The image I used would become the bottom layer and the
wordle (which I used a screen capture) would become my
second layer.
I also used opacity (to subdue some of the backgrounds)
and also used EFFECTS to create bevels and shadows.

23. Other Ways To Use Wordle
• Rodd Lucier has 20 ways on his blog at
http://thecleversheep.blogspot.com/2008/10/top-20-
uses-for-wordle.html
• Murcha has a slideshare of ideas at
http://www.slideshare.net/murcha/using-wordle-in-the-
classroom-presentation
• Samantha Lunn has 23 ideas at
http://languagesresources.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/
23-ways-to-use-wordle-in-the-mfl-classroom/
• Terry Freedman has 5 ideas at
http://www.techlearning.com/article/Blogs/20322
• Tom Barrett has a growing list at
http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/wordle.htm
• Chris Thomas has an excellent tutorial at
http://www.iprimary.co.uk/tutorial.php?tutorialID=002