Most people think word choice is just adding good adjectives. Actually, you can quickly change the quality of writing simply by trading out overused verbs for strong, active verbs. For example, you can trade out the word “run” for “bound” and enhance a sentence greatly!
Effective writing uses active verbs, considers precise language, and utilizes words that give exactness to details.
Here are some great app resources you can use to enhance word choice in your classroom:
Dictionary.com App
The Dictionary.com app is great writing resource. The Dictionary.com app not only has a dictionary, but it also has a thesaurus that my second graders can easily use. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the Dictionary.com app is that it allows you to say the word and it will find it for you! This is great for kids who don’t know how to spell a word they want to use in their writing or if they need to find a better word to use by utilizing the thesaurus. Another great feature is the ability to create a favorite list of words. After a child searches a word, they can push the star icon to add their word to their favorite list which they can access by touching the favorite button at the bottom on the screen. A child can easily switch back and forth between dictionary and thesaurus by touching the orange T or blue D on the right.There is a free and paid version of this app.
My Words App:
I learned of this app when I was researching apps for students with Autism. This app is a customizable picture and sound dictionary. You can create word lists and add pictures. You can also record the word being said. This is a great tool for students to use as a personal collection of excellent words to use during the writing block.
I have mentioned this app in many different posts as this app is adaptable to so many things! This is a great tool to create mind maps that show synonyms for overused words like “cute.” Here is an example of how it can be used:
This blog entry is part of a series focusing on integrating iPods during the writing block with a focus on the use of the 6 +1 Traits of writing. Please return to find out about specific apps I use to support the other traits of good writing.
Please share other ideas to utilize iPods to support word choice!