MS/HS Word Wall Activities And Resources

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:

• MIss Alaineus by Debra Frasier 11:12 min. video
  Debra Frasier website about MIss Alaineus 
  
  HOST A VOCABULARY PARADE! - Debra Frasier - Complete plans for a vocabulary parade

  Learning to Learn with Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster ... - OVERVIEW
  After a read-aloud of the picture book Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster, students combine vocabulary exploration with word play by planning their own vocabulary parade, modeled on the activities in the text. Students brainstorm a list of vocabulary terms from a recent unit of study and then design concrete ways to illustrate the terms. The presentation of terms can be in the form of a parade (an appropriate substitute for Halloween activities), or a video, which might play during parent conferences or open house.

  4th-5th Grade Lesson plan on "Miss Alaineus" that focuses on inferencing and summarizing reading strategies

• Donavan's Word Jar by Monalisa DeGross – video 21:09 min. Grades 2-5
  Donavan is fascinated by words. They seem to leap out at him from books, signs, even the back of cereal boxes. He savors each word as he learns to say it and discovers its meaning. He keeps the words he collects on slips of paper in a big glass jar. But one day the jar is almost full and Donavan has a dilemma. How can he make room for new words without giving up all the terrific words already in his jar? A visit to his grandmother provides the unexpected solution in this heartwarming story about how important words can be. 
  Donavan's Word Jar" by Monalisa DeGross - Vocabulary for all chapters of book
  "Donavan's Word Jar" - Scholastic link
• "The Boy Who Loved Words" by Roni Schotter Video 12:34 min. PreK-3 Storybook about boy who loves to collect words. Parents’ Choice Gold Award-winning book. 
  "The Boy Who Loved Words" – Amazon link
  Teacher's Guide for "The Boy Who Loved Books" Pre-reading activities, Vocabulary, and integrated curriculum connection activities 
• "Max's Words"  by Kate Banks 5:43 min. Grades K-3 On the NCBLA 2007 list of outstanding literature, Max’s Words introduces us to Max, a little brother without a collection. Wanting a collection like his brothers, Max begins to collect words. His collection grows and grows until he has enough for stories, and for sharing.
   "Max's Words" video clip from Scholastic 1:09 min. 
  "Max's Words" Discussion Guide from Scholastic

 Websites for Ideas:

• Word Wall 101 2:39 min. Teacher demonstrates how to make a content word wall that displays and stores easily. 
• Word Wall Activities – Classroom activities plus suggestions for at home
• http://www.vocabulary.co.il/ - 1000 Free online Vocabulary learning games - includes English language, foreign language,

  MS/HS Word Wall Activities and Resources 

  Lessons:

  Activity #1: 

  • Lexicon Resource – contains 31 vocabulary strategies
  • General Lexicon Elements – based on Marzano’s Six Steps

  Activity #2:

  LEXICON: 4 Steps: (Leader may use one of the following methods:

  1. Student leader finds the word in a dictionary.
  2. Provide individual dictionaries.
  3. Display dictionary page on interactive board.
  4. Access on media device.
     1. Write the word.
     2. Define the word.
     3. Find synonyms.
     4. Find antonyms.

  Activity #3:
   “Vocab on the Move”

  1. Make cards of vocabulary words.
  2.  Tape one to each student’s back.
  3.  Directions: Walk around the room and ask your classmates.
     What is a synonym for me?
     What is an antonym for me?
     Give me an example of me.
     Give me an example of something I’m not.
          What is a definition of me.
  4. Use your clues to figure out your vocabulary word.

  Activity #4:
  Brainstorm words/phrases that are synonymous or use the vocabulary word. 

  Activity #5:
  Create a list of words associated with the vocabulary word. 
  For example:

   synonyms
  antonyms
  descriptors
  People/Organizations

  Activity #6:
  Complete at least three. 

  • Define the word.
  • What do you notice about the word.
    a. # of letters
    b. # of consonants, vowels
  • Create a math problem with the #’s.
  • Use the word in a meaningful sentence.
  • Write all parts of speech for the word.
  • Analyze for root word, prefixes, suffixes.

  Activity #7:

  “Words in Action”

  Brainstorm words that describe how ________looks, sounds, and/or feels. In pairs create a list of 10 words that describe the vocabulary word.
  Join another pair, share lists, and add any new words. Join another group of 4 and repeat. The end result will be a list to be posted in the room for use and reflection.

  Activity #8:
  Create a crossword puzzle. 
  For making online: Criss Cross Puzzle Maker - once words and clues are entered a finished puzzle is created that may be printed or may be copied and pasted into another document. 
  To make other puzzle types online, go to Free Puzzlemaker by Discovery Education Select the type of puzzle and it will take you to instruction for creating it online. 

  Activity #9:
  Learners participate in creating a word wall finding words and filling out a Learner Word Wall Form 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 an ongoing vocabulary lexicon resource on iPads, Notebooks, etc.  

  

  Literature:
  Top 10 Books Kids are Reading" vocabulary - Some books are clearly favorites for students and teachers alike, showing up in classrooms around the country. We've identified the Top 10 books that educators are assigning, with links to carefully curated vocabulary lists that will help guide students through these literary delights.

  Website Resources:

  http://www.vocabulary.co.il/  1000 Free Vocabulary learning games - includes English language, foreign language, ESL vocabulary, and literature games. Choose from myriad of word games - play on iPad, notebook, computer

  Word Wall 101 2:39 min. Teacher demonstrates how to make a content word wall that displays and stores easily. 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9eDgcMZdf4 3:43 min. Literacy in Physical Education: Word Wall - middle school The Marinette Middle School Physical Education teachers begin their classes by dovetailing Fitness and Spelling. Students run and touch letters of the alphabet (painted on the gymnasium walls) to spell a sport-specific word relevant to the Unit being taught. 

  Word Walls in Secondary Math - written by a secondary educator and includes general instructions for creating word walls for this level.

  Word Walls in the Secondary Classroom - Guide to creating secondary word walls with activities.

  Word Wall: Secondary Edition video – 2:22 min.  This lessoncast shows how to integrate word walls as an interactive visual resource to build conceptual understanding and reinforce vocabulary at the secondary level. Contains visual ideas.

  "Making Word Walls Work in the Classroom" - How-to guide with photos of actual word walls in different curriculum areas. Includes links to other resources.

  "Birth of a Middle School Word Wall" by teachers

  Pinterest links for High School Word Walls 

  Six Steps to Better Vocabulary Instruction – Article, Educational Leadership, Sept. 09, Vol. 67, p. 83-84 

  ESL vocabulary, and literature games. Choose from myriad of word games - play on iPad, notebook, computer

• Teacher net Word Strategies - Word Wall Activities
• Education World: Word Wall Activities Build Skills
• Five Word Wall Activities to help reinforce vocabulary