Word walls can take up quite a bit of room, so I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of them.
When I put a new word on the word wall, before the word is placed on the word wall, we say the word, spell the word, snap and spell the word and then I use the word in a sentence. With student's Kagan partner, each student uses the word in a sentence.
I try and refer to the word wall all day long. This means it has to be placed in a location where it is visible no matter where we are in the room. If I'm at my guided reading table, I want to be able to reference it.
I started putting the words on different colors, and it has made a big difference in helping students pick out words. I can say, "that" is the word that is on green, next to "so." It has helped students find words much more efficiently. I also find that I encourage the word wall more.
Since the purpose is to have the students take ownership of the word wall and use it as a reference, I have had them place the words on the word wall when we add new words.
Some ways to use the word wall daily are by incorporating it into a work station.
Here is a free download that I use with students to practice finding words on the word wall.
Another freebie that will help your students is a
personal word wall. It comes with two files (one that you can edit).
I've also had students make their own personal word wall by using spiral-bound index cards. Back-to-school time is the perfect time to find them! Students (or the teacher) write each letter on each page. As words are added to the word wall, students add to their personal word wall.
