Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Brereton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cool word maps add depth to language -- for a small price.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
What's It About?
VISUAL THESAURUS can help kids see the relationships among different words. Type in a word, and related words will branch off from the term. Colored dots indicate whether the word is a noun, a verb, an adverb, or an adjective; example sentences illustrate usage. Kids also will see antonyms and synonyms and can comment on each other's word lists. The site says it currently offers more than 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings; registration ($2.95 a month or $19.95 a year) is required beyond the 14-day free trial.
Is It Any Good?
Visual Thesaurus illustrates word definitions in a more vibrant way than many books can. Searches provide mapped-out versions of a word, showing links to synonyms, antonyms, and other information. Kids get a visual look at how words relate, including helpful information on word type and how it's used in a sentence. Grammar junkies should love the site; other kids may not be drawn to it on a daily basis. However, the Visual Thesaurus definitely can serve as a classroom resource or tool to help kids hunt down individual word definitions while, as a bonus, subtly reinforcing other grammar and language concepts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what new words your child found out about on the site. Are there other school subjects your child would be interested in looking up online?
(Check out our School Performance Tips guide to see how technology can help your kids be academically successful.)
You can post comments on the site about other users' lists. What kind of comments would be positive or helpful to post? What kinds of things shouldn’t you say?
Although kids can comment, they can't friend each other through the site. Why might that be safer than websites that let you connect with other users you don't know in real life?
Website Details
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , vocabulary
- Skills : Self-Direction : academic development , personal growth , Communication : conveying messages effectively , multiple forms of expression
- Genre : Educational
- Pricing structure : Free to try, Paid
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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