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Word Walls . By: Carla Norman. What is a Word Wall?. A chart that a teacher has constructed with their students that displays and groups many different words H elps develop the students understanding and spelling of the different words. Teaching Strategies?.
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Word Walls By: Carla Norman
What is a Word Wall? • A chart that a teacher has constructed with their students that displays and groups many different words • Helps develop the students understanding and spelling of the different words
Teaching Strategies? • Engage the students in “learning conversations” about the words and letters included in various charts and wall displays • Write the words in large, clear print that is easily seen from all angles so it is constantly on the student’s mind • Ask the students the share how they remember the words so that maybe other students can benefit from it • Explain how one cluster’s all the words and how they are related for example: stew, stop, nest
Problems with Word Walls? • The amount of space available for the actual visual chart • If there is limited amount of space, the word wall could not reach its full potential for an engaging lesson; instead it could just take up needed space on the wall • The different learning abilities and understandings of each student: some students will not be able to understand the connections between words and their meanings
Why use Word Walls? • Word walls help the students to be engaged (Give them an example of a “chunk” and let them think of words that contain the particular chunk) • Word Walls are not only displays; they can be modified and changed relatively quickly as students progress • Builds the students understanding by using previous knowledge and familiar words • Find learning about words and letters interesting and exciting
Role of Teachers • Teachers should remain aware of the different needs and developmental stages of the students • Make sure the students are engaged and understanding the use of the word wall and that is can be referred to at any point • Teachers must call attention to each new word added to the word wall and connect its meaning to preconceived notions
Role of Students • Students are responsible for their own learning and must be held accountable for material taught during instructional • They should attempt to make connections between different words and meanings and why they are related • With a word wall, students could be broken up into groups and help other students understanding that are having difficulties
Guidelines/Considerations • Better understanding of letters and word formation • Make connections to previously learned words • Changing small parts of words completely change the meaning • Consider the different ways to keep the students involved • Consider the different ways to use a word wall; doesn't’ have to be a chart on the wall ( could be notecards or some sort of visual and tangible way to teach letter and word formation)
Citations • Pinnel, G. S. (1998). Teaching phonics and spelling. In Word Matters (pp. 42-53). Portsmouth, NH: Richard Owen Publishers.