Word Walls and Anchor Charts October 29, 2015

Agenda Objectives: Participants will be able to: Become familiar with Word Walls and Anchor Charts Gain an understanding of when and how to use Word Walls and Anchor Charts in their practice. Be exposed to a variety of implementation samples through videos and visual samples. Create a Word Wall or Anchor Chart that will be implemented in your instruction or practice.

Agenda Do Now: (5 minutes) Please look over some of the examples of Word Walls and/or Anchor Charts that are at your table. Begin making a mental list of how these resources could be used in your classroom or practice.

Why use Visuals? Classroom visuals are lifelines. Verbal communication is temporary. Visuals support verbal communication and are there as long as they are needed.

Word Walls

Compare/Contrast What do you notice about these two word walls?

Why use word walls? Anchor words in long-term memory Map connections between words and characteristics that form categories Encourage word analysis skills Visual scaffold for key information

Types of word walls Specific Content or Topics Word study walls Continuums, related words Phrases Concept Maps

Tips Clearly visible to all students Be selective when choosing words Update frequently

Tips Use color to highlight connections Cluster words meaningfully Consider relationships between words Use size and location to denote meaning

And More Tips Involve students to decide where new words are placed Use pictures and definitions Model how to use the word wall Plan frequent, quick activities

Word Wall Activities Sort and categorize words and phrases Use conversational scaffolds that structure the ways students study, think about, and use the words Students create personal dictionaries Use word wall folders for workstation activities

Anchor Charts

Anchors are a source of stability and security. Thrown overboard, the anchor stables the boat holding it firmly in a desired location. Likewise, an Anchor Chart displayed in a classroom learning community anchors student thinking while offering a source of visual reference for continued support as the learner moves forward. Source: quality.cr.k12.ia.us/DI/AnchorCharts.pptx

Anchor Chart Types Content: information, understanding, concepts Process: procedure, sequence, how-to

Content: anchoring information, understanding, concepts Source: displays/

Process Anchor Charts

Process: Anchoring procedure, sequence, how-to Source: charts.html

But… Source:

Tips and Tricks for Great Anchor Charts Use space strategically Top third has title and learning target Middle third has the most important parts Use tables, bullet points, pictures Bottom third has an example in the same format students will use to.html

Tips and Tricks for Great Anchor Charts Use COLOR and LINE strategically Three colors is plenty Use color to draw attention to key information Use dotted, solid, and wavy lines to organize information to.html

Tips and Tricks for Great Anchor Charts Create them with students Have the top-third completed Draft an example on copy paper Add most vital parts during the lesson Keep up only as long as needed Store old charts on an easel so they can be referenced as needed to.html