The Versatile, Humble and Interactive Vocabulary Building Tool
Word Wall has been in vogue for many many years. But the pity is either many teachers do not know about this or it is so humble a technique that many teachers ignore it. But, Word Wall is the most versatile resource.
It definitely is humble as the resources needed are also humble.
1.
Wall or any plain surface. Next would be
2.
Words / Vocabulary and then one needs
3.
chart paper and
4.
bold markers.
How to create a Word Wall??
Again I browsed the internet. There are as many ways as there are teachers and students.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the words used must be
1. written /printed in bold characters and
2. visible clearly to all students at all times.
What words can be used in a Word Wall?? Anything and Everything that one wants to teach and reinforce.
Anything. a teacher can use his/her imagination in ways to use Word Wall. It can be used to teach Nouns, Adjectives, Adverbs, other Parts of Speech, Poetic Devices and what not. You can also use the Word Wall in other Subject Curriculum such as Science (Concepts, Formulae, Definitions), Social Science (special Vocabulary), Mathematics (Formulae) etc.
How to use a Word Wall??
Let me just take the example of what I did in my class. I used the VERBS used in a chapter of text in the Word Wall. Before beginning the chapter the Word Wall had all the verbs used in it.
When the chapter was being done I, again and again, referred to these verbs so that my students will be in constant touch with them. I gave them the correct pronunciation as well as spellings while referring to the words. This way, these words/verbs became part of my students' active vocabulary as they started getting comfortable and familiar with the words and were able to use most of them on their own. that is the reason why the students must be able to constantly be seeing them for some time, as in this case till a chapter is done.
Next comes the versatility of the Word Wall. As I had chosen verbs, I used the Word Wall to teach the other forms of these verbs. So my students came to grips with tenses too. I plan to take it to the next level when with the help of these words/verbs I will teach them grammar of tenses and how to use the various tenses in their speaking and writing. But that would come later on.
This way one can teach anything one wants to with a Word Wall. As I wanted to share this versatile yet simple vocabulary building tool with my fellow teachers I made a PowerPoint presentation of the features of Word Wall.
Then I heard about Prezi, another interesting presentation tool. I wanted to explore this and made a Prezi presentation of Word Wall too. I would like to share both of them on this blog.
