Word+Clouds

Word cloud tools, like wordle.net, are visualizations of text. They allow your students to analyze word use through the creation of an image that is generated by pasting text into a website what produces an image. The image is a cloud-shaped picture that is based on the words pasted and the frequency with which those words appear. Here is a presentation done by someone who has LOTS of ideas for using Wordle in the classroom.

media type="custom" key="8838688"

Below are three word clouds generated by copying and pasting text about three planets into the wordle.net create box. The text was found on the "Astronomy for Kids" site and the names of the planets described in the articles was deleted in each case. Otherwise, the answer would have been too obvious! (By the way, when you roll your mouse over the word clouds, you'll be able to find out the answer!)