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
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
Four Blocks
• Make
connections
and reference
Word Wall
Guided
Reading
30-40 min.
Writing
• Reference
Word Wall for
spelling and
vocabulary
40 min.
SelfSelected
Reading
• Repeated
exposure to
vocabulary that
has been taught
30 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
Word Walls….What???
 High Frequency
 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
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
Word Wall…. How Many?
 ELA
 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
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
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.)
Sight Words “We Know”
Accumulated Throughout the Year
High Frequency
Word Wall
1st Grade Classroom
Science – Words for the Week
Thematic Word Wall
Special Needs
Classroom
Thematic Word
Wall
ELA Classroom
Middle School
Synonyms
Thematic Word Wall
Middle School
Classroom
Words With
Semantic
Connections
Thematic Word Wall
Elementary Classroom
Thematic Word
Wall
Elementary
Classroom
Thematic Word
Wall
Elementary
Classroom
Social Studies Unit
High Frequency
Word Wall
Elementary
Classroom
Words are outlined to guide students in using
graphophonic cues.
High Frequency
Word Wall
Prekindergarten
Classroom
-With Visual Phonics Key Words
Thematic Word
Wall
Elementary
Classroom
Social Studies Unit
Thematic
Word/Picture Wall
in Preschool
Classroom
Pictures and symbols in semantic categories paired with
printed English
What Is the Tone of My Writing?
Thematic Word
Wall in High School
Classroom
Thematic Word
Wall
Kindergarten
Classroom
Picture Symbol
Word Wall
Elementary Special
Needs Classroom
Thematic Word
Wall
Preschool
Classroom
“Characters in the Books We Have Read”
Thematic Word Walls
Prekindergarten
Classroom
Resources:
 Four Blocks Videos
 Four Blocks Books
 Best Practices
 Timothy Rasinski resources
 Differentiated Instruction Materials
 Fairview Learning
 International Reading Association
 The Reading Teacher