Monday, October 31, 2011

InsideStory Flashcards

InsideStory Flashcards is a site that declares it is "The world's most interesting way to learn words." This site is great for students who are visual learners, as it holds a collection of free printable flashcards that each feature a photo illustrating a vocabulary word. The cards are organized into 4 levels: Basic, Easy, Medium, and Hard. The medium level features SAT vocabulary words, while the Hard level holds words you might find on a GRE test. Although the cards are described as printables, you can view them on the site as a slide show without printing them off by clicking "Next" or "Previous" under each card. You are also given the option to hide the definition when viewing the cards.

Classroom Integration Ideas:
  • Teach your students a new word each day: Using your projector, display one of the cards but hide the word and definition. Have students guess what the word is based on the photograph. 
  • Use the cards as creative writing prompts. 
  • Create your own class set of photo flashcards: If you have a digital camera for your classroom or an iPad 2, have students take pictures that illustrate their vocabulary words and share them with the class. Display on a class website or bulletin board, or import into a Google Presentation or Keynote/Powerpoint.

8 comments:

  1. I could see myself using this site to print off flashcards. This year I am focusing on making every minute matter, so I would use these the last few minutes of class to help the kids learn new vocabulary before returning to their classroom. I would print these off and leave next to my door so that they are easily accessible. You can integrate just about anything when you teach music:) -Whitney

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  2. I am a big fan of flashcards and this takes flashcards to a whole new level. These are quick and easy to fill up a short amount of time to make every moment count. These can be used across the curriculum in all areas. This would be a great way to review old and new words. Love It!!- Missy M.

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  3. I love how this site lets your make your own flashcards! This would be an awesome way to have the students review the words that they already know

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  4. Love the visuals!
    My students and I use another flashcard tool often - studyblue.com It allows them to make and share flashcards and to quiz themselves and record their scores.

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  6. These are GREAT! We have gotten away from flashcards in the classroom as a study tool, however, if you are able to integrate this tool, you will see improvement. This tool will be WONDERFUL for English Language Learners in the classroom. If it is an option to have the kids make their own flashcards then they could differentiate for themselves and use pictures that they find helpful!

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  7. This is a very unique website that I will allow my students access to when they have free time. When my students finish assignments and they can spend some free time on Freerice.com instead of playing a game, I think will suggest this website too. On Freerice.com they can change the subject to anything along with the difficultly level.

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  8. What a great way to build vocabulary for our ELL and struggling students.

    Christi Everett

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