What is it?:
An activity which allows pupils to display their understanding of a key concept in a unique way, whilst supporting/improving literacy. Wordscape = a landscape made of words. Wordscapes are a blend of written words, phrases and images. An example within the wordscape would be to use the word 'sad' drawn like a frown.
How's it work?:
Wordscapes are often used in Geography to promote literacy and
develop pupils' ability to describe places using extended details and phrases,
however this activity can easily be adapted to show a freeze frame of a concept
or key idea in any other subject.
First you have pupils investigate a key concept or idea. Next you have them write down 15-30 words or phrases that describe or link well with the concept they have explored. Then explain to pupils what they will create with those words - I usually show this using the idea of a slum dwelling made of wood and corrugated iron. I draw the words slum housing, corrugated iron roof, and poorly constructed in the shape of a typical slum dwelling. I emphasise usually at this point that spelling is very important in this activity and offer pupils the opportunity to get their spellings correct using textbooks or myself. I also offer pupils an image on the board to act as stimulus for the 'landscape' element.
Variations:
Use www.tagxedo.com or try
using the wordfoto app for iphone/ipad for a digital version of this activity
(@johnsayers has an AMAZING example of wordfoto used to describe sand dunes - https://twitter.com/JOHNSAYERS/media)
Where did this come from?:
I first came across the idea of using wordscapes while looking through a dog eared copy of 'Thinking Through Geography' - but I know the use of it predates that book as well.
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