Word walls are essential to any classroom, but I would argue especially so in upper elementary classrooms. Even more so in French Immersion intermediate classes. Typically, though, most intermediate classrooms don’t have a word wall or a system in place to help students visually see the words they need.
I’ve linked and explained all my must-haves so you can easily get started and save you time!
One time prep and you are good to go for the year!
Getting started:
- You need letters (I recommend magnetic letters so they are easily moveable) I found mine at The Dollarstore and spray painted them black. I’ve linked a few options:
- Start with your focus vocab for a current unit/group of lessons
- Link your anchor charts and word mats to your word wall
- Then add words with white board markers that are not “focus words” but come up as students need
My Word Wall musts that SAVE me TIME and EFFORT:
- Ideally it is placed on a white board – easily write and erase on the go
- Letters are large enough all students can see them from any point around the class
- Letters are magnetic or are easily able to move around depending on your words in focus
- For specific vocabulary in focus for a unit or group of lessons, I print and laminate the word strips to reuse – save them in a plastic zip bag and next year’s prep is done!
- ERASE the board every few weeks – you do not want it to get too cluttered and chances are you different words are more relevant now …this way you will also see which words keep making their way back onto the wall
For those of us that teach 2 languages in our classrooms, specifically for French Immersion, I find color coding English words and French words the easiest way to keep things organized, visual, and all in one place for students so the routine stays the same!
Check out my French/English Theme Vocab Packs – Click for free downloads.
Still unsure if your class needs a word wall?
- Most students in Grades 4-7 are still working on sight words – those in-between words that are necessary for sentence writing but that aren’t yet mastered
- Gives students a starting point to practice independence – as topics and activities become more complex and multi-step, a word wall is a great visual reminder and strategy to begin written tasks
- It is a place for theme-d vocabulary that you are front loading at the beginning of your unit & that students will need regularly
- Writing routine – it is a place for students to look for words that you have spelled out with them. Rather than putting them anywhere on your board, place them on the word wall. For students that need routine, help tracking, and visual organization this is a must!
- It serves as a prompt for unsure, unwilling, or students triggered by written tasks – the more students add to the wall, the more students that aren’t sure where or how to begin will have a starting point
Happy Word Wall-ing!