Using Word Walls in the Classroom

Word Walls are great to help beginning readers and spellers. I used to have a word wall in my classroom every year. These are great for any grade level or age level because you are displaying words that are relevant to them at the time.

A word wall is a visual display of important words that students are learning. It is a great way to help students learn new vocabulary and to reinforce their understanding of existing vocabulary. Word walls can be used in any grade level, but they are especially helpful for younger students who are still developing their vocabulary skills.

Here are some tips on how to use a word wall in the classroom:

• Choose the right words. When you are choosing words for your word wall, make sure to select words that are important for your students to know. You can use a variety of sources to find words, such as your curriculum, the dictionary, or even the words that your students are struggling with.
• Organize the words in a way that makes sense. There are many different ways to organize words on a word wall. You can organize them alphabetically, by part of speech, or by theme. The way you organize the words will depend on your student's needs and the purpose of the word wall.
• Make the words easy to see. The words on your word wall should be large and easy to read. You can use different colors, fonts, or backgrounds to make the words stand out.
• Include additional information about the words. In addition to the word itself, you can also include other information about the word, such as its definition, part of speech, or synonyms. This additional information can help students learn more about the words and how to use them.
• Use the word wall regularly. The most effective word walls are the ones that are used regularly. Make sure to point out the word wall to your students and encourage them to use it as a resource. You can also use the word wall as a part of your lessons or activities.

Here are some additional ideas for using a word wall in the classroom:

• Have students create their own word walls. This is a great way to get students involved in the process and to help them learn about the words.
• Use the word wall to play games. There are many different games that you can play with a word wall. This is a fun way to help students learn the words and to reinforce their understanding.
• Use the word wall to help students with their writing. When students are writing, they can refer to the word wall to find the words they need. This can help them to write more accurately and fluently.

Word walls are a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of ways. By following these tips, you can create a word wall that is effective and engaging for your students. Having word walls will help students be more successful in whatever subject they are studying at the time.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

The Importance of Proofreading

Recently I had several complaints from students (who are teachers) about how I count off for spelling and grammar errors on their work. I ask them to spell correctly and write in complete sentences.

I have stated in my syllabus, which they get at the beginning of our class and during our class meeting about how correct spelling and grammar are important. They also get a rubric that I use which clearly states how I grade their work and one of the items is how they use spelling and grammar appropriately.

Each week, the teachers (my students) write up a weekly report that is sent home to the parents. This report has to be submitted to me for approval before it can be sent home. I’m always amazed how spellcheck is not used before they send this to me for a grade. I can easily see the misspelled words when I open up the document because the red squiggly lines are under the words. I don’t understand why the teachers don’t correct this before it is submitted for a grade. Then they are upset when this affects their grades.

They also don’t seem to proofread their work. I have gotten reports with sentences that don’t make sense or aren’t even complete sentences. Sometimes they cut and paste and even have the wrong child’s name in part of the report. I don’t understand why they don’t proofread their work. It irritates me that I’m expected to proofread their work and require them to correct the work. They get graded on the original work they submit but the report still needs to be corrected before it is sent home.

The only reasons I can see why they make these mistakes are:

1.     They are lazy.

2.     They wait for the last minute and are rushed.

3.     They don’t take pride in their work.

4.     They don’t care about their grade and want me to proofread their work.

I really don’t see a valid reason for a teacher to send home written notices home to parents with an abundance of errors on a consistent basis, especially if they are being graded on it.

How would these teachers feel if their own students turned in work like this? What kind of impression are they giving to the parents?

How do you feel about teachers using correct spelling and grammar? Please share.

A Time for Everything

In  Why You Can’t Click “Publish” from Ideas and Thoughts, Dean Shareski talks about spelling errors in his blog.

“That’s why many of you won’t blog or click publish. Not necessarily because you might make a spelling error but because you’re worried about what someone might think…We need to understand that this space is different, that this medium breaks down the requirements and allows for much quicker and primarily more conversations to take place means we can’t still think about publishing in the same way. I’m not suggested spelling and revision isn’t important but THIS SPACE IS A CONVERSATION, not a monologue.”

I used to worry about this a lot but now I don’t, thanks to comments like that above. I try to proof read what I write but I still publish it and when I go back, I find some errors. That is why they make an edit button.

I try to explain this to my husband who collects postcards and stamps. He has all these wonderful items and I suggested sharing some of them on a blog. But he agonizes over his writing and his spelling. I explain to him that it is all about the sharing of information and opening up dialogue about his hobby.

That is why I blog. I am trying to share my knowledge from the 30+ years of teaching that I have had. I don’t want to watch it all disappear because I’m no longer in the classroom. I think a lot of good strategies and techniques can be passed on through the ages. Learning diplomacy and tact will never go away with the introduction of new technology. Learning to work with the different personalities of students will never go away.

I try to explain to my students that when they are texting or emailing in a professional setting, they need to use proper writing etiquette. I also expect proofreading when they are turning in work for a grade (I would do the same for myself). I don’t see blogging as a formal writing setting so I can live with mistakes on other people’s blogs. I’m more interested in the content and the conversation.

How do you feel about spelling and grammatical errors in blogs? Please share.

Image: 'Spelling Book cover'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11356857@N08/4500234472
Found on flickrcc.net