What is a Word Wall?
A word wall is a collection of words, learned or still to be learned, which are displayed on a wall, bulletin board, or other display surface in a classroom. The word wall is intended to be an interactive tool for students to use in both reading and writing activities.
There are several reasons why a word wall is beneficial to vocabulary teaching and learning. Word walls help provide a permanent model for high frequency words used in the classroom. Students can often refer to the wall when conducting writing activities or reading context. These references points provide positive support to students throughout the activity. Word walls also help students realize relationships between words and similar patterns. These patterns and relationships help build spelling and phonetic skills while reinforcing vocabulary skills.
Word walls go across curriculum to fit any content area or subject.
A word wall is a collection of words, learned or still to be learned, which are displayed on a wall, bulletin board, or other display surface in a classroom. The word wall is intended to be an interactive tool for students to use in both reading and writing activities.
There are several reasons why a word wall is beneficial to vocabulary teaching and learning. Word walls help provide a permanent model for high frequency words used in the classroom. Students can often refer to the wall when conducting writing activities or reading context. These references points provide positive support to students throughout the activity. Word walls also help students realize relationships between words and similar patterns. These patterns and relationships help build spelling and phonetic skills while reinforcing vocabulary skills.
Word walls go across curriculum to fit any content area or subject.
How is it implemented?
To make word walls most effective, make word walls very accessible by making them visible. Ensure that the word wall can be seen by each student in the room. Make the words legible. The use of large black letters against colorful backgrounds will help the words stand out. These colored backgrounds can also help categorize similar words or concepts.
Collaborate with students to discuss and decide which words are displayed on the word wall. Commonly used words will benefit the students most. As a general rule, words should be added to the wall gradually. Reading Rocket's suggest five new words per week.
Use the word wall daily and in a variety of ways. Students can chant, sing, clap, cheer, trace, or write with the words. You may even incorporate a word guessing game to review and reinforce words on the wall.
Provide enough practice on the word wall to make spelling and reading of the words automatic and correct. It is also very important that you check for spelling accuracy in all of the students daily writing assignments and activities.
To make word walls most effective, make word walls very accessible by making them visible. Ensure that the word wall can be seen by each student in the room. Make the words legible. The use of large black letters against colorful backgrounds will help the words stand out. These colored backgrounds can also help categorize similar words or concepts.
Collaborate with students to discuss and decide which words are displayed on the word wall. Commonly used words will benefit the students most. As a general rule, words should be added to the wall gradually. Reading Rocket's suggest five new words per week.
Use the word wall daily and in a variety of ways. Students can chant, sing, clap, cheer, trace, or write with the words. You may even incorporate a word guessing game to review and reinforce words on the wall.
Provide enough practice on the word wall to make spelling and reading of the words automatic and correct. It is also very important that you check for spelling accuracy in all of the students daily writing assignments and activities.
Word Wall Resources:
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_walls
http://www5.esc13.net/thescoop/ell/files/2013/12/IWW-Handouts.pdf
http://specialed.about.com/od/wordwalls/a/morewordwalls.htm
http://www.antioch34.com/webpages/RWalshire/mrs.cfm?subpage=744625
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson328.shtml
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_walls
http://www5.esc13.net/thescoop/ell/files/2013/12/IWW-Handouts.pdf
http://specialed.about.com/od/wordwalls/a/morewordwalls.htm
http://www.antioch34.com/webpages/RWalshire/mrs.cfm?subpage=744625
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson328.shtml