Katy Larson

Lesson Plan- Word Walls

T&L 333

Learning Goals

-Students will practice using words on the classroom word wall.

-Students will practice using clues to narrow down the possibilities.

-Students will develop their vocabulary skills and ensure that they know how to use

the word wall to support their writing.

Intro

-Introduce the concept of a word wall and why it is a useful reference in classrooms

for students with reading and writing. Explain how word walls can be organized into

different categories so that they are easy to read for all kinds of students, including

ELLs.

-Introduce the criteria of making a word wall. The words need to be arranged and

sized large enough so that every student can see the word wall from their desk. Each

word should be a word that students ask how to spell frequently when they are

writing. Word walls need to be built up throughout the school year, and each time a

new word is added, the students and the teacher will discuss the word’s meaning, and

students will place the word in the proper category on the word wall.

Materials Needed

-Mystery Word worksheet provided by the teacher.

-Writing implement (pencil, pen).

- Word wall.
Activity

After introducing the concept of word walls and the various learning goals,

introduce the activity. Teacher should say that this is an activity that encourages students

to critically think by using clues to figure out a “mystery word” that can be found on the

classroom word wall. The teacher will ask two students to help hand out each student a

worksheet. Have students make sure to write their names at the top of the paper. The

teacher will then let the students know that this worksheet will be used as a form of

assessment to tell which students are understanding and working well with the concept of

word walls. The teacher will then begin to describe the directions for the activity. The

teacher should do comprehension checks on the students once the activity is introduced,

to ensure that all the students were listening and understand. Once the entire class is on

board, the teacher will begin the activity. The teacher says that this is the first mystery

word, and reads off the first clue. Allow for a bit of time between each clue for students

to refer to the word wall in order to identify the mystery word. For each mystery word,

after the last clue has been read, ask for a volunteer to share which word they found with

the class. This way, students can check their answers, as well as practice speaking in front

of the class and using their word wall words. Once the activity is completed, collect each

worksheet from the students in order to use them as a form of assessment.

Assessments

1. Teacher will use comprehension checks to ask students what has been said in

order to assess their understanding and listening skills.

2. Student’s ability to fill out the worksheet will serve as an assessment of the

student’s ability to follow directions.

 3. The worksheet itself will show the teacher at what clue the student was able to

identify the mystery word.

Closure

-Class discussion of how this activity might be useful for ELL students, and all students.