Word Walls

Bringing Words To Life

Outcomes

Summarize the purposes of words walls

Select a word wall “type” and “design” that is appropriate for your classroom

Group “Chat”The scientific research on vocabulary instruction reveals that (1) most vocabulary is learned indirectly, and (2) some vocabulary must be taught directly. The following conclusions about indirect vocabulary learning and direct vocabulary instruction are of particular interest and value to classroom teachers:

Children learn the meanings of most words indirectly, through everyday experiences with oral and written language.

Although a great deal of vocabulary is learned indirectly, some vocabulary should be taught directly.

National Reading Panel

How Can Word Walls Benefit Students?

Helps create a word-rich environment

Facilitates word analysis Connects reading and writing Supports student reading and

vocabulary development Allows for connections between

words Provides an “anchor” for commonly

misspelled words, high frequency words, and content based words

“You have to ‘do’ the word wall.”

Patricia Cunningham

High Frequency Word Walls

Vocabulary Word Walls

Content Word Walls

Content Word Walls

Content Word Walls

Word Study Word Walls

Spelling Pattern Word Walls

Planning Your Classroom Word Wall

Make them memorable Make them useful Make them practical Make them hands-on Make them space efficient (but

visible) Make them appropriate for your

students

Making Word Walls Work in the Classroom (Wagstaff,

1999)

Next Meeting…

Create interactive, student centered task to compliment the word wall you have designed today

“You have to ‘do’ the word wall.”Patricia Cunningham

Resources

http://forpd.ucf.edu/strategies/stratwordwalls.html

http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/reading/WordWall.htm

Green, J., (2003). The word wall: Teaching vocabulary through immersion. Toronto, ON: Pippin.