Freeform Word Clouds

Using Freeform to Reimagine Word Work

I recently collaborated with a teacher who was hitting a wall with her literacy blocks. The students were stuck in a cycle of repetitive worksheets, and engagement was bottoming out. We knew we needed a different strategy that could grow with them.

Enter Freeform Word Clouds.

We decided to flip the script on prefixes and suffixes. Instead of static lists, students are now building "Word Clouds" Here’s the workflow:

• The Hub: Students place the prefix or suffix in a central shape.
• The Connection: Using the connectors button in the bottom right corner. Teams brainstorm and branch out with as many words as possible with the prefix/suffix.
• The Organization: This is the game-changer—students use the scenes function to dedicate a specific area to each prefix or suffix.

What started as a one-off activity has evolved into a living digital glossary. The students aren't just "checking out" anymore; they are mapping their through processes. They’ll be adding to these boards all year long!

Student using Freeform to create her word cloud.