Word Weaver brings together approaches with well-established educational research:

• Focusing on high-value words: The tool highlights useful words that occur across many subjects and everyday talk (words such as “compare”, “gradual”, “reluctant”, and “significant”). Teaching these gives children the biggest boost across the school day. It also covers important topic-specific terms (e.g. “photosynthesis”, “perimeter”, “igneous”) and words used to talk about language itself (“synonym”, “prefix”, “noun”).
• Connecting meaning and sound: The interactive web builds meaning (definitions, similar words) alongside sound structure (first sound, last sound, syllable count) at the same time. The web generates an example of the word used in a sentence (context). This approach helps children store and recall new words more easily.
• Multi-sensory memory hooks (Act, Say, Draw): Built-in prompts use movement, talking, and drawing. Children act out gestures, say the word aloud, or sketch quick doodles to create personal memory hooks.

• Fully editable
  Clear definitions, similar words, and sound information load automatically from the database, but every box can be edited. You can easily change a definition or adjust for local ways of saying a word.

• Flexible syllables and sounds
  Syllable counts offer a helpful starting point, but you can clap the word out together and record what the child actually says. Final sounds clearly show both the spelling and the actual sound (e.g., judge → dge (j)).
• Adding pictures and symbols
  Add a visual cue by uploading a saved image or symbol straight onto the word web.
• Extra room for ideas (‘Spin a Bubble’)
  Add extra thinking bubbles using the “+ spin a bubble” buttons whenever you need more space for the child’s own ideas and examples.
• A4 PDF Download
  Download a clean, printable A4 PDF of your finished word web, complete with all your session notes and pictures, to send home or keep in a workbook.

Words that might be sensitive for some children carry a small amber notice (e.g. “grief”). This is simply a gentle prompt for staff to use their own knowledge of the child.

• The 3,603-word list was put together with digital assistance and fully checked by Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy students.
• Word Weaver is completely self-contained. It needs no logins, uses no external links, and sends no data anywhere. Pictures and notes stay in temporary memory while you work and clear completely when you refresh the page.

While the digital app is ideal for interactive sessions on interactive whiteboards or tablets, paper versions of Word Weaver are also available.

Printable paper templates can be practical. They are handy, easy to pull out during a busy day, and screen-free to minimise distraction.

Using paper also allows for a more tailored, hands-on approach where children can write, colour, and draw directly onto their own physical word web.

• Download Printable Word Weaver Web Template [A4 – PDF, 2.3MB]
• Download Printable Word Weaver Web Example [A4 – PDF, 699KB]
• Download Paper Version Guidance & Activity Ideas [PDF, 715KB]

To report an error, suggest an update, or ask a question: slt.admin@mft.nhs.uk

Developed by the Children and Young People’s Speech and Language Therapy Service at Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO).

Sole property of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.