Library of Calligrams by Leon's Planet

Dear Parents & Students, Homeschoolers & Online Learners:

This is not a trick! It really works! It is based on the science of memory, called mnemonics. As a literacy teacher and ESL teacher, I have used this technique for years with great success for my pupils/students. Please consider sending me your own calligrams to add to our list. I will list the words in alphabetical order. Children under the age of 13 must have their mom or dad send me their calligrams.

Dear Teachers, Tutors, & Instructors:

All of the calligrams on this page were created by me, Leon, and copyright laws apply. Copyright laws state that any time somebody creates an original work, it is immediately and automatically copyrighted. The creator retains all rights to the material created until it is signed away to somebody else.

Also, "Fair Use" laws say that copyrighted material may be used for educational and personal use. Teachers, you may use my material to teach your children freely, but it would be nice if you gave me credit for creating the calligrams used. Links back to this page are greatly appreciated.

I suggest we make a database of calligrams, right here! Collectively...let's see how many words we can turn into calligrams. Contact me by email and attach a picture of your calligram.

Kind regards,

Leon
Webmaster of Leon's Planet

Well, before I tell you what a 'calligram' is, I want you to know that I invented the 'calligram' concept; BUT, I originally called it a 'pictograph'. Then, one day I learned that the word 'pictograph' was already a word in use (in mathematics). I have been teaching vocabulary by using calligrams for many, many years under the term that I coined: "pictograph". The first calligrams were shape poems. See Wikipedia's article on "Calligram".

To distinguish from the poetic calligrams (shape poems), some use the term 'word-calligram' to refer to a calligram which is a single word, where it is written in the shape of the meaning of the word.

Here....see some examples that I invented: (and you may send me your own calligrams, to be posted here under your name! You must be at least 13 years of age; or, if you are under the age of 13, you may have your mom or dad send me your calligram, 'cause you need their permission!).

Inventor's Name (optional; fake names, pseudonyms, and nom de plums are welcome)	Age (required for children, not for adults)	Location (requested; just for fun)	Word / Meaning	Calligrams (in alphabetical order)
Designed by Leon; Colored by Frank	Leon-adult Frank- Gr1	China	Amazon Meaning: Name of a rainforest in Brazil
Leon	adult	China	asked < past of "ask" >
Leon	adult	China	became < past of "become" >
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	boot Meaning: a kind of shoe
Leon	adult	China	came < past of "come"> went < past of "go">	see below

Leon	adult	China	changed < past of change >
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	channel Meaning: a human-made river
Designed by Leon Colored by Alex	Leon-adult Alex- Gr1	China	cyborg Meaning: half human, half robot
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	depths Meaning: noun of 'deep'
Designed by Leon Colored by Aleksi	adult	China	electricity Meaning: a kind of energy used to make light or make things move
Leon	adult	China	entered < past of "enter" > Meaning: went in
Designed by Leon Colored by Jason	Leon-adult Jason- Gr1	China	fire extinguisher Meaning: machine to put out fires
Leon	adult	China	gave < past of "give" >
Leon	adult	China	had < past of have >
Leon	adult	China	licked < past of lick >
Leon	adult	China	lived < past of live >
Leon	adult	China	married < past of marry >
Designed by Leon Colored by Kitty	Leon-adult Kitty-Gr1	China	parachute Meaning: a cloth attached to a person or object by strings to slow the falling
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	penta~ Meaning: 5 Example: pentagon Notice: It has 5 letters! and it means 5!
Leon	adult	China	put < past of "put" >
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	quad~ Meaning: 4 Examples: quadrilateral, quadruple Notice: It has 4 letters! and it means 4!
Leon	adult	China	said < past of say >
Leon	adult	China	ship Meaning: a very big boat
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	skull Meaning: head bone
Leon	adult	China	started < past of start >
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	swan Meaning: a kind of bird that lives in water
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	toss Meaning: to throw under-handedly
Leon	adult	Utah, USA	tri~ Meaning: 3 Examples: triangle, tripod, triple Notices: It has 3 letters! and it means 3!
Leon	adult	China	wanted < past of want >
Designed by Leon Colored by YaX	Leon-adult YaX, Gr1	China	whip Meaning: (1) n. a long, leather tool for causing hurt
Designed by Leon Colored by YunX	Leon-adult YunX, Gr1	China	whip Meaning: (1) n. a long, leather tool for causing hurt
Designed by Leon Colored by Selina	Leon-adult Selina-Gr1	China	whistle Meaning: (1) v. to make a musical sound with ones mouth and lips (2) n. a tool that when blown, makes a tone
Designed by Leon Colored by KX	Leon-adult KX, Gr1	China	whistle Meaning: (1) v. to make a musical sound with ones mouth and lips (2) n. a tool that when blown, makes a tone
Designed by Leon Colored by Sun	Leon-adult Sun-Gr1	China	wind Meaning: the air that moves or blows
?	?	?	?	Your calligram here

It is important that children are involved in the creation process. If the children (students) use their own creativity and imagination to create their own calligrams, they will never forget the meaning of the word. If the pupils are too young (as in grade kindergarten or grade 1) to create their own calligrams, the teacher may create them for the pupils. I teach grade 1 and I make the calligrams for each of the vocabulary/spelling words. Then, my pupils have to color and cut them out to use as flash cards. By studying with the calligram-flash-cards each day, the pupils are ready for the vocabulary test on Friday.