Deconstructing

Presented by Jennie Reaves
What are Word Walls?
 According to Patricia Cunningham (2012), who is credited with
inventing the word wall, “the word wall is an area in the
classroom where words are displayed -– but not just any words – truly important ones. They are systematically organized and a
tool designed to promote group learning.”
 A word wall consists of words that young children frequently
see when reading and use when writing.
 Cunningham emphasizes that it is not enough to
just have a word wall. You have to do a word wall.
What are Word Walls?
 Word Walls are collections of sight or content
vocabulary words (and pictures) that are displayed
alphabetically within the classroom.
 In the instance of sight word walls, students can
practice reading from the wall (high-frequency words),
while others that can already read are
learning to spell the words on the word
wall.
Who should use Word Walls?
 Everyone!!! ALL staff members will have
and make use of an interactive word wall.
 Word Walls can be used with students at
every grade level!
What are some different types of word walls?
 Sight Word Wall
Content Area Word Walls
 Test-Prep Word Wall
Sight Word Walls
Primary grade texts are comprised
primarily of sight words. If a child
can master the sight words for
his/her grade level, he/she can easily
tackle 50-75% of the words in the
texts he/she will read.
Photo Credit: http://www.smithsroom.com/working_with_words_the_4.htm
Teachers can help foster this
development by posting each new
sight word on the word wall along
with other sight words the children
have been working on and/or have
mastered.
Photo Credit: http://kindergartenwhaletales.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-word-walls.html
Sight Word Walls
 The more you use the Word Wall words during modeled
writing, to generate correct spelling while writing aloud,
or to decode a masked word in text, the more your
students will use the Walls to do the same.
 Demonstrations and think-alouds take only seconds, and
if done frequently, give you a lot of bang for your
buck.("Yes, I can read this word. I see /t/ like the
beginning of Tim's name, and /alk/ like our key word walk;
this word must be talk. It fits here (in the T-section) and
makes sense!")
Content Area Word Walls
Many students struggle with
content vocabulary. Utilizing an
interactive Content Area Word
Wall will help students acquire the
terms necessary to understand
content area concepts and text.
Image Credit:
http://staff.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/~ahenderson/index.php?pages_id=13&photo_id=7&
p=0
Word walls can be incorporated in
any content area.
Image Credit: http://rbsoleyjacks.edublogs.org/sample-page/8-principles-for-becoming-an-effectiveteacher-of-reading/key-features-of-the-reading-and-writing-processes/authenticassessments/interactive-websites/instructional-procedures-vocabulary-and-reading-comprehension/
Content Area Word Walls

Content Area Word Walls can
include pictures, examples, and
non-examples for vocabulary to
assist students as they discuss and
write about content area topics.
(VDOE, 2012)

The wall will provide a visual cue
for students as they discuss and
write about content area topics.
The wall should be a “work in
progress” growing throughout the
school year as new terms are
learned.
Image Credit: http://melodysoup.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-music-classroom-has-wordwall-now.html#.U-o_tUjKvZ0
Test-Prep Word Walls
Test Preparation Word Wall: One of the often
overlooked aspects of standardized test
preparation is the vocabulary used in question
and answer choices.
Generally each standardized test has its own
question stems, organization and methods for
presenting answer choices. There is, in effect,
a “vocabulary” for each test.
Teachers can help students become more
effective test takers by familiarizing them with
the key words used in a particular standardized
test.
Students should be encouraged to understand
and use these terms throughout the year so
that they will be comfortable with them come
test time.
(10 Great Word Wall Strategies for Classrooms )
Image Credit: http://www.ashleigh-educationjourney.com/2013/07/ss-science-word-walland-journal-prompts.html
Can I include other words on the word wall?
 No. The Word Wall is held sacred for the initial purpose of the
word wall (sight words, content vocabulary, test-prep word
wall).
 Use theme or cluster charts in the classroom to display other
words that you feel students may want to use.
 Don't confuse students about the reason for the Word Wall. It is
a constant resource for them because of HOW you will expect
them to make use of these words, (as continued practice, in
writing, in conversations, during content learning, etc.) Testprep and content word walls get used differently from sight
words.
When should I use Word Wall?
 Word Walls should be used daily beginning on the first
day of school.
 Word walls should be referenced often.
 Student should be encouraged to utilize the word wall
when needed.
Where should I put the Word Wall?
 Word Walls should be located in a highly visible space
within the classroom.
 Word walls should be accessible and interactive. It is
important that students are able to get to the word wall in
order to read from them, spell from them, and complete
activities with them.
 Words should be clearly written on colored
paper with heavy black markers or, if typed,
backed on colorful paper in a font that is
read. Content words can be backed in
colors. (i.e. Science in green & Math in blue)
easy to
different
Why should I use Word Walls?
 Word Walls have a rich and extensive research base that
supports their use in many different ways.
 Word walls provide a permanent model for sight words.
 Word Walls help students see patterns and relationship in
words, thus building phonics and spelling skills.
 Word Walls provide reference support for
children during reading and writing
activities.
How should I use the Word Wall?
 Add to the Word Wall: About 5 words should be added to the
word wall each week.
 Refer to Word Wall words: Simply refer to words on your word
walls as you teach and have conversation across the school day.
Depending on the age of your students, have students practice
the spelling by air writing (primary students) and “writing” the
word on their hand with a finger (intermediate students).
 Review Words: Multiple exposures to new words is key to
understanding the nuances of a word’s meaning. Review words
and continually use them in new and varied contexts. Have
students use words verbally with a partner or in a small group.
How should I use the Word Wall?
 Engage Children: Engage the children in reading, chanting,
singing, spelling and writing these words.
 When chanting words from the word wall, make use of
different groupings to keep students interested and
engaged!
 Possible groupings include:
 Boys vs. Girls
 Last names A-K vs. L-Z
 Even #s vs. Odd #s
 Tables 1 & 2 vs. Tables 3 & 4
 Left side of the room vs. Right side of the room
How should I use the Word Wall?
 Keeping Track: Some teachers make Word Jars to keep tally of how
frequently students use new vocabulary. Each time a student or the
teacher correctly uses a word found on a Word Wall, that person adds
an marble or cotton ball to the jar. When the jar is full, the class gets a
a dance party or extra recess, for example. The most important
element, of course, is the practice of using new words in oral
language.
 Relevant and up-to-date: Word walls should only include words that
your students are currently learning, or words that they have to know
throughout the year. This is especially true of content word walls.
 Retiring Words: You may find, over time, that you need to “retire”
some words to make room for others. Use these “retired” words in
review activities to continue to help students acquire them.
Specialists
 P.E. Word Walls –Focus on physical
Education vocabulary and movement words
 Art Word Walls – Focus on art related
vocabulary and concepts
 Music Word Walls –Focus on musical
vocabulary
 Library Word Walls – Focus on literacy
language for all grade levels/types of text
Classroom Expectations
 Word walls should grow throughout the year.
 Use of word walls should be modeled by the classroom
teacher.
 Students should understand and be able to articulate
how and when to make use of the word wall.
 Word wall use, strategies, and/or how to “modeling”
and lessons should be included in lesson planning.
References
5 Easy Steps to Rockin’ Word Walls. (2014.) Kimberly Tyson. Retrieved from
http://www.learningunlimitedllc.com/2013/07/5-steps-word-walls/.
10 Great Word Wall Strategies for Classrooms (2014).K-12 Reader: Reading Instruction Resources. Retrieved from
http://www.k12reader.com/10-great-word-wall-strategies-for-classrooms/.
Cunningham, P. M., and D. Hall. (2001). Guided Reading, self-selected reading, working with words, writing:: The
four blocks in classrooms that work.
Effective Word Walls: How to use word walls in your classroom. (2012). The ESOL Odessey. Retrieved from
http://publicschoolteachersodyssey.blogspot.com/2012/04/effective-word-walls-how-to-use-word.html.
Intervention Guide: Grade 4-Finction or Nonfiction?. (2012) In Virginia Department of Education, Fall 2012
Mathematics Standards of Learning Institutes: Facilitators Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/professional_development/institutes/index.shtml#2012.
Tierney, R., & Readence, J. (2005). Reading strategies and practices; A compendium (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Word Walls that Work. (2014). Scholatic. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/word-wallswork.