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 Doing a Word Wall vs.
Having a Word Wall  |
A Word Wall is a
non-negotiable instructional tool that is an essential part of the K-5
classroom. It is a place to display words that are "truly important".
These words may include high frequency words for students in grades K-2
and English Language Learners (E.L.L.), as well as vivid verbs,
transitional words, and/or Tier-2 words (as described by Beck & McKeown in
Bringing Words to Life).
The Word Wall is an
interactive tool that plays a part in the learner's daily word practice
which includes introductory and review activities providing sufficient
practice to ensure the learner's automaticity. The words are read and
spelled with ease and fluency.
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"Having a Word
Wall is not sufficient. You have to 'do' a word wall." - Patricia Cunningham |
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Location |
Structure |
Word Display |
Activities |
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Doing a Word Wall |
- Prominent Location
- Easily seen by all
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- Limit to those really common words,
important words, and Tier-2 words
- Add words gradually, 5 per week
- Provide words for multi-levels
- Star or bold a word that represents a
pattern
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- Alphabetical by first letter
- Parts of Speech (upper grades)
- Written in big black letters (1 1/2 to 2
1/2 inches)
- Colored paper is used for easily confused
words
- Cut around words (configuration)
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- Daily Word Practice (by looking, cheering,
and writing words)
- On-The-Back Word Wall Activity (regular
review activities to provide automaticity)
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Having a Word Wall |
- Words are "somewhere in the room"
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- All words are up at once
- Grouped on crowded chart
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- Words are often displayed without a
consistent plan
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