Vocabulary is a HUGE part of the Common Core and plays a huge role in reading comprehension, so I really wanted my students engaging with and grappling with new vocabulary on a daily and weekly basis.
With that said, I really wanted to do it in an authentic way…I didn’t want to throw a list of words at my 5th graders.
So, I designed this interactive word wall where students learned 15 new words each week – 10 words from our Flocabulary video (Read about how we use Flocabulary here.) and 5 ‘Student Choice’ words.Throughout the school year, my students submited vocabulary suggestions from their own reading, using this quick and easy form. From these requests, I picked 5 words each week to include on the wall. The first few weeks of school, I picked all of the words as I ‘trained’ students to use this system.
On Mondays, we watched the Flocabulary rap video, introduced the words, and recorded the words in our vocabulary logs. Vocabulary was our mini-lessons on Mondays, and then, we spent 5 minutes (or less) practicing/using the words throughout the week. On Tuesdays, we used the words in 7-Up sentences with our shoulder/fact partners. On Wednesdays, we found synonyms and antonyms for our words, and on Thursdays, we played a quick game of Showdown. Finally on Fridays, we assessed!
Since I had already assembled the letter headers making the word wall this year was simple. To make the headers, I used a circle cutter to cut the yellow circle backgrounds and then, the circle-letter headers. I attached 2 feet of ribbon to the back of each header.
Working together, Mom and I were able to put up the word wall is record time – 50 minutes!! I used 13 feet of black bulletin board paper to act as a background for the headers and then, attached the headers/ribbon use masking tape. SIMPLE!
Click here or the image below to learn more about this Interactive Word Wall Set. Using different colored ribbon and circles, it can match any classroom theme or work for any age group! 🙂
How do you manage your word wall? Do you include student-choice words or use a school program? I would love to hear what is typical at your school. 🙂 Also, make sure to stop by Monday Made It to check out all of the amazing summer projects out there!
Lena Troxtell says
I really like this idea! We will have to wait and see what my room looks like but this might be an awesome choice! It looks great!
Miss McDonald says
What a great way to use that space above your cubbies! I love this idea! 🙂
Miss McDonald's Memoirs
Carol Davis says
I recently helped my daughter put up her word wall. It looks very similar to yours! We used gray fabric on the background and chevron border. Her letters are a lot like yours, but with a touch of green and she used green ribbon. I'm looking for ideas for my own board now! Thanks for sharing!
Carol
Teachers Are Terrific!
Sara Kovach / Dare to be Different - Teach! says
Those are very attractive, I really wish I had more wall space to do something like this.
Mrs D's Corner says
What an adorable idea! I love it!
Ana says
I really like your word wall!! I wish I had enough space to make that work… I'm going to have to see what I can do! 🙂
Ana
Mrs. Bentin's Blackboard
Jamie Sears says
I love that you use a word wall even in the older grade! It is really cute too!
Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher
A Rocky Top Teacher says
Love this! Cannot wait to see your classroom reveal!
See ya soon!
-Sarah
A Rocky Top Teacher
Kate says
Thank you, Sarah!! And I have many more hours left before I can show it off-ha! 😉 Sitting in the airport now!!
Ashley D says
This is amazing! Would be perfect for my 4th graders. Just added it to my TPT wishlist 🙂
Jenny Looney says
Just added those headers to my wish list! I'm loving that word wall! Last year I put my letters on my white board, so we could write words on our word wall whenever new words came up. I'm getting a new classroom and I think it has limited white board space, so this is a great alternative!
Jenny
Livin’ the Third Grade Dream
Kate says
Oooo…so glad you found something that might work for you. 🙂
Erin says
I love this and wish I had more wall space! I love the idea of a building list for your students, it makes it that much more engaging!
Erin
Short and Sassy Teacher
Miss King says
I LOVE your word wall! I am sort of doing something like this for my homophones. TOO CUTE!
Miss King's Enchanted Kingdom
Learning in Wonderland says
Wow! Your word wall is gorgeous!!
Bridget S says
I love it!!! IT IS PERFECT!!!
Bridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
Tara says
GORGEOUS!!!!! Now if I can only find the wall space I WILL be doing this!!! Love it! Thanks for linking it up:)
4th Grade Frolics
Anne says
This is a post chock full of great info. I'm really interested in the way you teach vocabulary. Could you explain a bit more how you assess on Friday? Also, when I clicked on the link for "showdown", I didn't find an explanation of that page…am I missing it? I'm going to ask PTO to get Flocabulary for my team and try to use some of your ideas. Thanks for a great post!
Mary W says
I love the ribbon on your word wall! I wish I had the space to do that.
Mary
Fit to be Fourth
Courtney says
You are AMAZING!
Courtney
Ramona Recommends
Musings from the Foreign Teacher says
Love your word wall, it's gorgeous. I have never used one before but really want to reinforce vocabulary next year. Thanks for the suggestions.
Kristin says
I have limited kid-level space in my room. I did letters and ribbons with my words this past year and my word wall was elevated. The kids didn't use it that often, though. I'm not sure if it was because it was elevated or the words were too small or a combination. How high up is your word wall and how big do you make your words?
Kristin
Teaching In A Nutshell
Mack Cooper says
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