Interactive Interactive Word WallsWord Walls

Stella NormanStella Norman& Tracey Howse& Tracey Howse

DefinitionDefinition

A word wall is a systematically organized A word wall is a systematically organized collection of words displayed in large letters collection of words displayed in large letters on a wall or other large display place in the on a wall or other large display place in the classroom. It is a tool designed to promote classroom. It is a tool designed to promote group learning. A word wall consists of group learning. A word wall consists of words that children frequently see when words that children frequently see when reading and use when writing. reading and use when writing.

PurposePurpose

To give children a reference when reading To give children a reference when reading and or writing unfamiliar materials.and or writing unfamiliar materials.

ExamplesExamples

Should be organized Should be organized alphabetically.alphabetically.

Words can be added Words can be added weekly or changed weekly or changed weekly.weekly.

Can include student Can include student names, days of the names, days of the week, or any other week, or any other words students use words students use frequently.frequently.

Going “interactive”Going “interactive”

Students make more use of word walls they Students make more use of word walls they can touch, help construct, or that are more can touch, help construct, or that are more meaningful to them.meaningful to them.

If possible keep word walls within student If possible keep word walls within student reach, so they can touch or remove words reach, so they can touch or remove words with ease.with ease.

Other options are the portable word wall Other options are the portable word wall and the word wall “wiki”. and the word wall “wiki”.

Portable Word WallPortable Word Wall

More IdeasMore Ideas

Use index cards or smaller cards on rings Use index cards or smaller cards on rings for words.for words.

Have a different set for each subject area Have a different set for each subject area and/or topics within a subject.and/or topics within a subject.

Have a set for home and school.Have a set for home and school.

Laminate or use card stock for sturdiness Laminate or use card stock for sturdiness and durability.and durability.

Word Wall ActivitiesWord Wall Activities

Scavenger HuntScavenger Hunt 1. Create a list of words 1. Create a list of words

that are specific to the text that are specific to the text or unit of study.or unit of study.

2. Give students the list of 2. Give students the list of words and explain that they words and explain that they are looking for examples of are looking for examples of the word and not the actual the word and not the actual word. It is a bonus if they word. It is a bonus if they find the actual word but you find the actual word but you really want them to discover really want them to discover the word in action.the word in action.

3. Students work in groups 3. Students work in groups and document where they and document where they discovered the word.discovered the word.

4. If possible, they bring an 4. If possible, they bring an artifact to show the word in a artifact to show the word in a new context. For example, if new context. For example, if they find a newspaper article they find a newspaper article about a revolution, students cut about a revolution, students cut the article out and bring that as the article out and bring that as an artifact. If they find a an artifact. If they find a photograph of a revolution, photograph of a revolution, they bring the photograph (or a they bring the photograph (or a copy) as an artifact.copy) as an artifact.

5. Individually, students write 5. Individually, students write what connection the target what connection the target word in a new context has to word in a new context has to what they are studying in the what they are studying in the unit on the American unit on the American Revolution.Revolution.

6. If you have a word wall, 6. If you have a word wall, artifacts can be displayed under artifacts can be displayed under each of the target words as a each of the target words as a visual reminder of the word, its visual reminder of the word, its meanings, and its applicationsmeanings, and its applications..

Scavenger Scavenger Hunt Hunt

WorksheetWorksheet

Mystery WordMystery Word

The first clue is always “The word is on the The first clue is always “The word is on the word wall”. word wall”.

Other clues can be: It has ____ beats . It Other clues can be: It has ____ beats . It begins like____. It end like_____. It is a noun, begins like____. It end like_____. It is a noun, verb, etc. It has a ____ for a vowel. verb, etc. It has a ____ for a vowel.

The last clue is usually a sentence with the The last clue is usually a sentence with the word missing in it so everyone can get it.word missing in it so everyone can get it.

Integrating TechIntegrating Tech

Creating a slide show Creating a slide show of words to be playing of words to be playing while students are while students are journaling, silent journaling, silent reading or are in reading or are in centers.centers.

Create a slide show to Create a slide show to teach vocabulary that teach vocabulary that includes pictures, includes pictures, synonyms, antonyms, synonyms, antonyms, etc.etc.

As students become As students become more comfortable, they more comfortable, they can create either can create either slides, word slides, word documents, or documents, or contribute to a blog or contribute to a blog or wiki to showcase word wiki to showcase word knowledge.knowledge.

Example of tech Example of tech integrationintegration