1. What?
Why?
Word Walls
How?
When?
Where?

2. Word Walls…. Why??? Spelling Vocabulary Development Support Writing
Higher Order Thinking Skills
Content Vocabulary (arranged thematically)
Decoding Strategies
Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes
Not for random words with no connection to text or content – This type of vocabulary instruction has been shown to have little to no value

3. Word Walls…When? As an integrated part of a Balanced Literacy Program
This includes Content Instruction
Primarily during the Working With Words Block, but..
Shared/Guided/Modeled Reading
Make Connections
Reference during lessons
Writing Block
No excuse words (spelling)
Vocabulary for writing

4. Self-Selected Reading
Four Blocks
Make connections and reference Word Wall
Repeated exposure to vocabulary that has been taught
Guided Reading
30-40 min.
Self-Selected Reading
30 min.
Writing
40 min.
Working With Words
20-30 min.
Word Wall
Doing the Word Wall
On-The-Back Activity
Word Patterns
Making Words
Guess the Covered Word
Fairview:Dolch & Bridging
Reference Word Wall for spelling and vocabulary

5. Word Walls….What??? High Frequency Thematic Big Words
All students reading under a 3rd grade level
Thematic
Content (ELA, Science, SS, Math, Health, Art…)
Sentence Word Walls
Semantic Clusters
Big Words
Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes
Portable Word Walls
Visual/Perceptual Impairment
Home Use
Labeling the Classroom

6. Word Walls….Where???? Large Wall for High Frequency (w/alphabet)
Small Areas for Thematic
Cabinet Doors
Table Top
Hanging From the Ceiling
Window
Small Wall
Side of Shelf
Bulletin Board

7. Word Wall…. How Many? ELA Content
At least one High Frequency if students are reading under a 3rd grade level or
At least one Big Words Word Wall (words with roots & affixes) for student reading above 3rd grade level
At least one Thematic Word Wall for current content
Content
At least one Thematic Word Wall for current unit
May maintain other Thematic Word Walls for reference

8. Word Walls…. How???? Post words after they have been taught
Five to 10 per week
Fantastic Five, Popcorn Words….
Words taken from to Guided/Shared Reading
Encourage use of words in writing
Expect students to spell words correctly
Make it neat, interesting, & age appropriate
Chant/cheer the words

9. Word Walls… How??? “Do” the Word Wall Be a Mind Reader
Guess the Covered Word
Fairview
On-the-Back Activities
(See Four Blocks manuals for more details and other activities to promote retention.)

10. High Frequency Word Wall 1st Grade Classroom
Sight Words “We Know”
Accumulated Throughout the Year
High Frequency Word Wall 1st Grade Classroom

11. Thematic Word Wall Special Needs Classroom
Science – Words for the Week
Thematic Word Wall Special Needs Classroom

12. Thematic Word Wall ELA Classroom Middle School
Synonyms

13. Thematic Word Wall Middle School Classroom
Words With Semantic Connections

14. Thematic Word Wall Elementary Classroom

15. Thematic Word Wall Elementary Classroom

16. Thematic Word Wall Elementary Classroom
Social Studies Unit

17. High Frequency Word Wall Elementary Classroom
Words are outlined to guide students in using graphophonic cues.

18. High Frequency Word Wall Prekindergarten Classroom
-With Visual Phonics Key Words

19. Thematic Word Wall Elementary Classroom
Social Studies Unit

20. Thematic Word/Picture Wall in Preschool Classroom
Pictures and symbols in semantic categories paired with printed English

21. Thematic Word Wall in High School Classroom
What Is the Tone of My Writing?
Thematic Word Wall in High School Classroom

22. Thematic Word Wall Kindergarten Classroom

23. Picture Symbol Word Wall Elementary Special Needs Classroom

24. Thematic Word Wall Preschool Classroom
“Characters in the Books We Have Read”

25. Thematic Word Walls Prekindergarten Classroom

26. Resources: Four Blocks Videos Four Blocks Books Best Practices
Timothy Rasinski resources
Differentiated Instruction Materials
Fairview Learning
International Reading Association
The Reading Teacher