Interactive Word Walls Stella Norman & Tracey Howse

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

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

Examples Should be organized alphabetically. Should be organized alphabetically. Words can be added weekly or changed weekly. Words can be added weekly or changed weekly. Can include student names, days of the week, or any other words students use frequently. Can include student names, days of the week, or any other words students use frequently.

Going “interactive” Students make more use of word walls they can touch, help construct, or that are more meaningful to them. Students make more use of word walls they can touch, help construct, or that are more meaningful to them. If possible keep word walls within student reach, so they can touch or remove words with ease. If possible keep word walls within student reach, so they can touch or remove words with ease. Other options are the portable word wall and the word wall “wiki”. Other options are the portable word wall and the word wall “wiki”.

Portable Word Wall

More Ideas Use index cards or smaller cards on rings for words. Use index cards or smaller cards on rings for words. Have a different set for each subject area and/or topics within a subject. Have a different set for each subject area 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 and durability. Laminate or use card stock for sturdiness and durability.

Word Wall Activities Scavenger Hunt 1. Create a list of words that are specific to the text or unit of study. 1. Create a list of words that are specific to the text or unit of study. 2. Give students the list of words and explain that they are looking for examples of the word and not the actual word. It is a bonus if they find the actual word but you really want them to discover the word in action. 2. Give students the list of words and explain that they are looking for examples of the word and not the actual word. It is a bonus if they find the actual word but you really want them to discover the word in action. 3. Students work in groups and document where they discovered the word. 3. Students work in groups and document where they discovered the word. 4. If possible, they bring an artifact to show the word in a new context. For example, if they find a newspaper article about a revolution, students cut the article out and bring that as an artifact. If they find a photograph of a revolution, they bring the photograph (or a copy) as an artifact. 4. If possible, they bring an artifact to show the word in a new context. For example, if they find a newspaper article about a revolution, students cut the article out and bring that as an artifact. If they find a photograph of a revolution, they bring the photograph (or a copy) as an artifact. 5. Individually, students write what connection the target word in a new context has to what they are studying in the unit on the American Revolution. 5. Individually, students write what connection the target word in a new context has to what they are studying in the unit on the American Revolution. 6. If you have a word wall, artifacts can be displayed under each of the target words as a visual reminder of the word, its meanings, and its applications. 6. If you have a word wall, artifacts can be displayed under each of the target words as a visual reminder of the word, its meanings, and its applications.

Scavenger Hunt Worksheet

Mystery Word The first clue is always “The word is on the word wall”. The first clue is always “The word is on the word wall”. Other clues can be: It has ____ beats. It begins like____. It end like_____. It is a noun, verb, etc. It has a ____ for a vowel. Other clues can be: It has ____ beats. It begins like____. It end like_____. It is a noun, verb, etc. It has a ____ for a vowel. The last clue is usually a sentence with the word missing in it so everyone can get it. The last clue is usually a sentence with the word missing in it so everyone can get it.

Integrating Tech Creating a slide show of words to be playing while students are journaling, silent reading or are in centers. Creating a slide show of words to be playing while students are journaling, silent reading or are in centers. Create a slide show to teach vocabulary that includes pictures, synonyms, antonyms, etc. Create a slide show to teach vocabulary that includes pictures, synonyms, antonyms, etc. As students become more comfortable, they can create either slides, word documents, or contribute to a blog or wiki to showcase word knowledge. As students become more comfortable, they can create either slides, word documents, or contribute to a blog or wiki to showcase word knowledge.

Example of tech integration