This video shows a real classroom example of how to incorporate a word wall into instruction.  This can be used throughout the entire school day and in every content area.  

Definition

"A word wall is a collection of words which are displayed in large visible letters on a wall, bulletin board, or other display surface in a classroom. The word wall is designed to be an interactive tool for students and contains an array of words that can be used during writing and reading." (ReadingRockets, 2015).  Word walls are great for any grade level.  It creates increased exposure to vocabulary words.  Before putting a word onto the wall, be sure to explain it to the students, spell it with the students, and use it in multiple sentences to help them understand. 

Can be used:
  • During, before, and after instruction
  • Small groups, whole group, or individually
​

How to use Word Walls

  • "Make words accessible by putting them where every student can see them. They should be written in large black letters using a variety of background colors to distinguish easily confused words.
  • Teachers and students should work together to determine which words should go on the word wall. Try to include words that children use most commonly in their writing. Words should be added gradually — a general guideline is five words per week.
  • Use the word wall daily to practice words, incorporating a variety of activities such as chanting, snapping, cheering, clapping, tracing, word guessing games as well as writing them.
  • Provide enough practice so that words are read and spelled automatically and make sure that words from the wall are always spelled correctly in the children's daily writing.
  • New information should be added on a regular basis.
  • Use content-area material from the curriculum rather than randomly selected words.
  • Word walls should be referred to often so students come to understand and see their relevance." (ReadingRockets, 2015). 

Differentiation

"Word walls are a great support for ELLs, and may be organized around a number of concepts, including the alphabet and phonetic sounds, new vocabulary words, sight words, grammar rules, conversational phrases, and writing structures. Words can also be organized by category (for example, academic words, words used often in your classroom, new words students have come across and love).
Copying words from word walls may be difficult for some students. For these students, supply them with the words written on piece of paper. Tape the word wall paper to their desk or writing folder for easy reference." (ReadingRockets, 2015).  

Content Areas

Reading:  Before going over a story, be sure to discuss important vocabulary that students will need to know that goes along with the content.  Use the words in sentences, have students repeat them back to you, and be sure to talk about what the words mean.  Place the word wall words up on the wall as you discuss them as a class.  

Math: Math vocabulary can become tricky.  Word walls can be beneficial to students with the math concepts, formulas, or practice problems explaining the vocabulary.  Be sure to have a means of separation between content area vocabulary.  Math word walls can provide graphic representations and cues.  

Social Studies:  Historic times, vocabulary about the world or history, and vocabulary that is about landforms can all be found on a word wall for social studies.  There are vocabulary words that are specifically used during social studies only.  The extra exposure by putting these words up on display is critical.  

​Science:  For science content, it will be beneficial for students to have extra instruction on vocabulary words.  Science vocabulary tends to have bases from different languages, we can help students by grouping science words together on a word wall. Before doing an experiment, reading in the text about a new science topic, or working with nature, go over the new vocabulary words and give repeated exposure through the word wall. 
  • "Students categorize and sequence from largest to smallest (cell, bacteria, yeast, tissue, ribosome, organ, organism, organ system, protozoa, virus) Variation: Students are given vocabulary words, and their classmates must arrange them in the correct order and justify the placement.
  • Students remove words from the wall and make connecting statements about the words. The class can then create a summarizing statement, for example: cells make up tissues, and tissues make up organs." (ReadingRockets, 2015).  

Read-Aloud Books for Word Walls
List from ReadingRockets.org

  • Zoola Palooza: A Book of Homographs
  • Where Does the Garbage Go?
  • The Pot that Juan Built
  • The Loud Book
  • Say What?
  • Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry
  • How Much, How Many, How Far, How Heavy, How Long, How Tall is 1000?
  • A Seed Is Sleepy
  • Eating the Alphabet
  • Who Has These Feet?
  • One Is a Small, Ten is a Crab: A Counting Feet Book
This video describes how to create an interactive word wall.  He goes through the basic steps to have an effective word wall experience with your students.  

References


Jordan School District Elementary Mathematics. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015.

Printable Word Wall Worksheets. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015.

Simpson, W. (2013, October 17). Word Wall 101. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_hwA5dmjfw

Word Walls. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_walls