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.