Elementary Word Wall Activities And Resources

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Elementary Word Wall Activities and Resources

Activity #1:

  • Use four steps:
    1. Write the word
    2. Define the word
    3. Find synonyms
    4. Find antonyms.

Options:

  • Use the Lexicon Resource to select and complete a specific number of the 31 activities listed. Consider allowing learners to choose. 
  • General Lexicon Elements – based on Marzano’s Six Steps

Activity #2:
Complete at least three.

  • Write the word.
  • What do you notice about the word?
     1. # of letters
     2. # of consonants, vowels
  • Create a math problem with the #’s.
  • Count the number of syllables.
  • Define the word.
  • Draw a picture representing the word.

Activity #3: The Vocabulary Rap

 Find your word and step it out.
Color code what it’s all about.
Blend it, say it, make it complete
Repeat it together, don’t skip a beat.
What’s our word?
Say it again.
Now let’s clap it.
Now let’s stomp it.
Now let’s whisper it.
Now let’s spell it.

Activity #4:
 ‘Jivin’ Words

Using identified words engage the learners in doing the Hand Jive.

  •  Pair learners up.
  •  Learners clap hands together for consonants and lap clap for vowels.

 Put hands in the air at the end as you say the word.

Activity #5:
 Word Match
Create Word cards that may be cut in half. (See Template) Preprint or have learners write selected vocabulary on the cards. Precut or have learners cut. Collect and distribute randomly. Have learners find the other half of their word card. Have pairs line up and share their word with the group.

Activity #6:
 Spelling Karate

Using classroom vocabulary words learners will stand and extend arms upward for consonants and do leg lifts for vowels.

Activity #7: 
 Mexican Hat Dance

Move feet alternately back and forth in front.

Activity #8:
 Imaginary Chalkboard
Tell learners to:

  • Pretend a chalkboard is in front of you.
  • Write each letter on the chalkboard.  Make the letters large.
  • When you are finished with each word you can pretend to erase it.
  • Hint:   If teacher is leading from the front of the room he/she will have to form letters backwards.

Activity #9:
Pumping Iron

  • Pretend to be lifting weights, one rep for each letter.  You must strain to get each letter up.
  • Pretend to mount the barbell on the stand and sound exhausted as you say the word at the end.

 Activity #10: Surfin' & Spellin'

  • Start out by getting on a surf board, 
  • Sing:
    Let's go spellin'
    Everybody's learning now
    Come and spell it with me!
    Then while we're surfing we say the letters of the word!

Activity #11: - TIRED WORDS!

Learners create an ongoing Word Wall with synonyms for overused words.
1. Brainstorm commonly overused words such as good, bad, said, happy,
 pretty, saw, big, nice, little, etc. 

2. Make a display with pockets for each word. Have learners find and write
 synonyms on slips provided that may be put in the appropriate pocket. 
 This is ongoing and words may be added throughout the year. 

3. Direct learners to use the Word Wall to find synonyms that fit into their
 writing or speaking. 

4. Option: Create Personal Pocket Thesaurus – learner creates an individual
 thesaurus for these words. Click on link for printable documents. To see
 example go to Elementary Word Wall Photo Gallery)

 Example:

 Activity #12:
 Learners participate in creating a word wall by finding words, filling out a Learner Word Wall Form and adding it to the Word Wall. The words may be related to a specific book or content area. 
Learner Word Wall Form - Click on link for printable document. If you are using the form on your SmartBoard or iPad, the dictionary links are active to access the online resources in English and foreign languages. 
This may be used to create a vocabulary lexicon resource on iPads, Notebooks, etc. 

Interactive Word Wall Activities:
  Mystery Word 
 Teacher selects a word on the wall and gives five clues to that word.

  • For each mystery word have learners number their paper 1-5. Tell them that you are going to see who can read your mind and figure out which of the words is the mystery word. Tell them you will give them five clues. After each clue they are to write the word they think it is by that clue number. By the fifth clue, everyone should guess your word, but if they read your mind, they might get it before the fifth clue.
  • For your first clue, always give the same clue:
    “It’s one of the words on the word wall.”
  • Learners should write the word they think it might be next to number one. 
  • The second clue is:
    It has # of  letters.
  • Student writes word.
  • The third clue is:
    It begins with a ____________. ( e.g. a digraph ph.)
  • Student writes word
  • The fourth clue is:
    It has a ___________sound. ( e.g. short e vowel)
  • Student writes the word.
  • The fifth clue is:
    It begins the sentence: (e.g. ________will lunch be ready?) Word: When 
  • “I know you all have word next to number 5, what is it? But who has it next to number 4?, 3?, 2?, 1?” Some learners will have read your mind and be excited to have ‘read your mind’ so quickly.

After you do several words and learners get familiar with this activity, allow them to be the one giving the clues.

Web Resources:
Literature:

 Websites for Ideas: