Word Walls

Active? Movable? Individual? Thematic? Retired? Rotating? Vocabulary? Sight Words?

Word Walls have morphed into so many things over the years! HOW they are used is usually dependent on the teacher and the room in which the WW is present. A upper-elementary Math teacher might have a Word Wall consisting of mathematical terms while a Kindergarten teacher might have sight words galore plastered all over her WW.

Is there a right or wrong way to use a WW? NO... as long as you are using one! Better yet -- as long as the STUDENTS are using one!

Some ways to implement Word Walls into your classroom:
-stick words to a magnetic board and students can come and "borrow" a word to take to their seats and copy down or check their spelling.
-have multiple copies of a WW in the class: a sight word WW might be near the Small Group reading table on a poster; a second (but larger) copy is on the far wall where most students can see from their seats; a third copy, printed on a single sheet of paper, has been made for students to use at their seats (maybe it's kept in binders or Writing Folders)
-thematic-based WW on chart paper can be hung up and changed as new themes or topics are explored (ex: "October" heading, words added to it like pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, ghosts, cold, windy)
-have a "Working Words" and a "Retired Words" section: words that are constantly coming up are still working... words that have been taught but could still be referred to for various purposes might be retired.
-Do you have a classroom economy? Maybe you offer a token or dollar as students find, use, or write words from the WW. Or just tally mark the words!!

Don't forget: Word Walls are not meant to be stagnant. They need to be growing with words -- and not just ones the teacher thinks need to be added. Let students give out ideas for words to be added to the "wall". This provides an opportunity for buy-in from your kiddos! Plus, they will be more likely to REFER to the WW on their own because they have actually helped create it!

THINK ON IT! :)