As I teach students with learning disabilities, I am becoming increasingly curious as to how I can make substantial use of word walls to assist them in developing vocabulary skills.
I love a word wall! But vocab is more than just words, so you need to generate opportunities for them to manipulate the words. You also need to introduce a framework for this to happen inside. I have no idea about the level your students are working at, so I apologise if this isn't quite what you want: you could get your students to colour the verbs. Then you give them a simple rule: a sentence must have a verb. So they choose a verb from your wall and build sentence around that - based on your prompting questions. Eg. 'Oh you chose "run", who runs?' 'Where do they run?" "why do they run?" Record responses using a dictaphone and then let them hear back their responses and get them to write down their own sentences. You could also play synonym games or have a pop quiz once a week where you choose a word at random and ask your students questions based on the word (or they could pick the random word for their fellow students). Just some ideas, sorry if they don't quite work for your group.
Excellent response Erik. I wanted to respond before but couldn't frame one adequately. And I agree whole heartedly. It is like the difference between reading and reading for meaning. Ask student to explain the words, to draw concept maps with them, to think of alternatives or words that relate but are not on the wall. All activities that respond to the perceived meaning of the words, rather than just their recognition.
All excellent ideas Erik and Mark!
I am extremely excited as I venture into this teacher inquiry. I teach fourth Grade and the ideas given are suitable and appropriate. I thank you for your response. Now I am also looking at ways to incorporate technology in this venture. I notice that some of my slow learners have a knack for tech. How can I grab this opportunity to sync word walls and technology?
Hi everyone, I would really like to get your expert input on this inquiry I am embarking on. Please keep the conversation going. The question again is "How can I utilize my word wall to make it more meaningful for students, particularly those with learning disabilities?" And for those of you wondering, I currently teach Fourth Grade
Hi Tricia, in the classrooms that I worked in, the word wall was printed in their homework packets and we went over 12 words a day and incorporated them in the spelling list weekly. They had to write the words in three columns (for example the 1st column was 1-12, then the 2nd column was (2, 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) next column was (1, 3, 5 ,7 , 9, 11, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) and we would spell them together as a group daily. We also had a giant word wall list that we did at intervention time at the end of the day.
This taught them the even and odd numbers and the word placement of the word on the 1-12 list. By Thursday we gave them a practice test then on Friday the actual test. The majority not only caught on to the method but their spelling improved tremendously, others needed a picture to associate the word to so I found out what their hobbies were, what team they liked or sports, then had them to write a story or something using the words. Then when they miss-spelled words we went over them only until they got them right, it was fun and they received treats when they got it right. Even the students that struggled enjoyed the challenge of being a team member and competing for a prize. I hope you try these tricks they helped in the 2-first grade classes that I taught.
Technology that the students in our school approve of......
Spelling city... This is like a modern version of look, write, cover and check and it means that the student can input the words, then listen to them as a word or as a sentence. This was particularly important to give them context.
Quizlet - This is more teacher driven but really helps with vocabulary building.
I personally have disliked word walls as they look like blobs of letters and I cannot see how that is helpful. If they can pattern via colour for verbs or join together in a pattern that is helpful.