So I have been wanting to do a word wall in my classroom... but does third grade have word walls with high frequency words still? I have bulletins in my classroom, one for every subject. I put up all of our vocabulary words for that subject of what we're currently learning. But when it comes to writing, I noticed a lot of my students are still spelling common words wrong. I have a high frequency word list in their writing folders, but I know they don't take the time to get it out to look at it.
I have a Hollywood theme in my classroom, so when I found this, I got excited!
I have a Hollywood theme in my classroom, so when I found this, I got excited!
But now is when I need your help! How do I go about adding the words to the wall? Should they all be up there from the beginning or should I add as I go? The other thing you should know is that I don't have my students for reading or word study since I teach our school's Read 180 (struggling reading program). So the majority of my kids go to another teacher for word study/spelling.
Any advice is appreciated :)
Emily
And they are still spelling those same old words wrong in 5th, ha! :-) I didn't have a word wall in 5th, but often wondered if I should. I would make them take out a mini word wall from their binders whether they wanted too or not. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I taught 2nd grade, I would add 5 words a week just so we could really focus on the words. Word family words were covered by putting one of them on a star, and then they knew it was a spelling pattern (ex: "could" to represent could, should, would). That helped save room.
Also, we did a quick 5-10 minute word study on dry erase boards. I would have them write sentences using lots of word wall words and walk around and check. Or I would have kids just find a word on the wall and write it 3 times quickly, or with bubble letters, or in wiggly letters. Just anything to get them used to using the word wall and not forget it was there.
Sorry, I sooo did not mean to make this comment so long, ha! I just also struggled with word walls and that was my most successful year of using one.
I did not use a word wall when I taught third grade. I did start a vocabulary wall, however. Occasionally I'd notice words that were commonly misspelled (google it, there are lists) or my students would ask me how to spell words and I'd add them. We had "Words I Use When I Write" books, which were pretty much ABC books they filled in so they could spell them correctly the next time.
ReplyDeleteMiss B, Busy Bee
I was taught word walls are good in EVERY grade and that you introduce the words to the students weekly or daily and then add them to the wall. I think it makes sense this way because you can make sure the students know what words you've added and know to look on the wall to check spelling for those words - especially once the wall is full pretty full.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
-Stephanie
www.teachhappiness.blogspot.com
I have a high frequency word list in my students' writing folder, and I use my word wall for vocabulary words. I love the popcorn boxes.
ReplyDeleteI love the popcorn boxes. I use a word wall in my room. It has high frequency words plus I add other words throughout the year. I work every year to get students to use it as a reference, some do better than others.
ReplyDeleteIf I find a word misspelled in their writing and it is on the word wall, I circle it and will not spell it for them. Other misspelled words I show them the correct spelling.
I like my word wall, but I know that by the end of the year it can be a little overwhelming for some of my more developing readers.
Jennifer
Lifelong Learning