Rewordify

Rewordify translates challenging texts into modern English. From the main screen, users can copy-and-paste text from another source (e.g., a document or website) to the yellow box and then click the “Rewordify Text” button. The website automatically translates the text into easier-to-understand text. Users can also select text from Rewordify’s comprehensive collection by tapping either the “Classic Literature” or “Public Documents” button on the top of the screen, choosing the text by clicking its title, and Rewordify will then load and translate it. When a text is translated, Rewordify highlights all the words it translated, so users can easily see which words were changed. In addition, Rewordify includes the original text below the translated text, which highlights which words were changed. After translating a text, Rewordify provides users with multiple options. First, they can engage the vocabulary terms in the text by clicking an option on the purple banner and completing the activities. A second option is for users to click the “Stats” button to view the readability of a text (e.g., its READ, Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Lexile Density scores), total word count, syllables, and more. Next, the “Share” button provides users with a URL that they can send to other users so they may access the same text. Also, the “Print/Learning Activities” option lets users print an array of activities related directly to the text, such as the original text, the “Rewordified” text, vocabulary with/without definitions, matching exercise, quizzes, cloze reading activities, and more. Finally, the “Parts of Speech” button color codes the entire text into different parts of speech and provides users with a key to interpret the different colors.

Please Note: Rewordify includes additional features for both educators and students that can be accessed by creating a free account.

Instructional Ideas

1. For challenging texts, teachers can have students copy-and-paste them or type them into Rewordify to translate them. Teachers can then have students read the text independently, with a partner, or as a whole group. By translating the different texts and using different grouping strategies for reading, it will support teachers in differentiating the texts they are providing to students.
2. Once a text is translated, teachers can have students learn the vocabulary words using the premade exercises that are already loaded into the website and can be accessed on the purple menu.
3. After translating and reading a text, teachers can have students complete a 3-2-1 activity. In it, students will write three sentences that summarize the text, identify the text’s two most important points, and write one question or response to the text. Students can write their 3-2-1 using an Office app and email it to their teacher for grading.
4. For advanced students, teachers can have them read both a translated and original text using this website. After doing so, teachers can facilitate a class conversation or create an activity where students explain the advantages and disadvantages of translating a text from its original language to a modern version. To spur on their thinking, teachers can ask students: (1) What is added or lost when a text is translated, (2) Do you prefer reading the translated or original text?, and (3) How is the culture of the author reflected in the original text and is that lost or kept in the translated text?
5. For a reading comprehension activity, teachers can have students translate and then read a text using this website. Next, students can complete the different vocabulary exercises to help ensure they understand the different words’ meaning in the text. At this point, students can then create a reading quiz about the text using the Quiz Pedia Teachers can then post the quiz and a link to the text on a class website and require other students to read the different texts and complete its accompanying quizzes.
6. For grammar practice, teachers can have students analyze a sentence and label all its parts of speech. Next, students can type the sentence into this website, click the “Rewordify Text” button, and then the “Parts of Speech” button to show the different parts of speech. This activity will allow students to check their labeling before teachers advance the class to the next step in the grammar activity.