Word Wall
What is it and what does the research say?
Word Walls are a collection of words displayed somewhere in the classroom that can be vocabulary significant to the students. “They serve as an excellent source of information for students attempting to analyze unknown words, spell unfamiliar words, or define new vocabulary" (Yates, Cuthrell, & Rose, 2011).
Word Walls have been a long standing strategy to assist students in their vocabulary. When students are facing new words, a teacher is likely to place the word up on the word wall and in some cases, group them with similar words. Teachers have been expanding the word wall concept to include online word walls, interactive word walls, and now a three-dimensional picture model wall. "Using three-dimensional picture models to represent words gives students a lasting correlation between pictures and the words they illustrate" (Zivkovich, 1997). |
Examples of Word Walls and Possible Uses
Two examples can be found here. Above, a word wall where words are placed throughout the school year under their appropriate first letter. This is obviously meant for a younger age of students who are just learning to spell and group words. This is a great year-long application where a word wall is built over a long period of time.
Below, an example of a word wall that is science based. This word wall has groupings of different living organism. Vocabulary associated with them, such as habitat and texture are present. This is an example of a short term - unit related - word wall. These can be built by students and changed as needed.
Below, an example of a word wall that is science based. This word wall has groupings of different living organism. Vocabulary associated with them, such as habitat and texture are present. This is an example of a short term - unit related - word wall. These can be built by students and changed as needed.
Video Examples of Word Walls
The first video on the left is a great example of an interactive word wall. As demonstrated, a student can press on a a button and the word would be read aloud to them. This can help with their vocabulary, reading, and speaking.
The second video, at right, walks you through how to use a Google App (in browser or tablet) to create an interactive and dynamic word wall online. Students can log in and actively post words they are having trouble defining or would like to have available to them.
The second video, at right, walks you through how to use a Google App (in browser or tablet) to create an interactive and dynamic word wall online. Students can log in and actively post words they are having trouble defining or would like to have available to them.
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Online Resources
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_walls
Information about word walls
http://www.k12reader.com/10-great-word-wall-strategies-for-classrooms/
Ten word wall strategies for your classroom
http://www.pinterest.com/megandaly/classroom-word-walls-bulletin-boards/
A collection of word walls pinned on Pinterest to show the variety of possibilities
http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/word_walls/words.html
Examples of interactive word walls
http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/07/5-steps-word-walls/
How to create word walls
Information about word walls
http://www.k12reader.com/10-great-word-wall-strategies-for-classrooms/
Ten word wall strategies for your classroom
http://www.pinterest.com/megandaly/classroom-word-walls-bulletin-boards/
A collection of word walls pinned on Pinterest to show the variety of possibilities
http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/word_walls/words.html
Examples of interactive word walls
http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/07/5-steps-word-walls/
How to create word walls
References
Yates, P. H., Cuthrell, K., & Rose, M. (2011). Out of the Room and into the Hall: Making Content Word Walls Work.Clearing House, 84(1), 31-36. doi:10.1080/00098655.2010.496810
Zivkovich, P. V. (1997). Building vocabulary with a 3-D word wall. Teaching Pre K-8, 28(2), 58.
Zivkovich, P. V. (1997). Building vocabulary with a 3-D word wall. Teaching Pre K-8, 28(2), 58.