A word wall is a place to showcase pictures or artistic vocabulary posters. They can be useful if they are colorful and do not contain too many words all at once. A lot of vocabulary words on one wall is daunting and students will not embrace it. An interactive word wall is one created by students using artifacts, drawings, even large concept maps and data tables to help see the bigger picture. A word wall if often designed and created by a teacher before the lesson. An interactive word wall should be blank until step by step students create, design, and post their artifacts.
An interactive word wall could be online, a digital version on a class blog is always awesome. I like to leave a big open space on my chalk board for students to notice. They always ask "Why is that space blank?" I answer "That is your space to add your ideas, questions, and artifacts about our current unit. The makerspace has provided them with various tools to tinker and build artifacts. Our class interactive word wall has just started and students are eager to add to it.
The important thing about an interactive word wall is to let students take control of it. A student will post something and other students may not like it, they will leave a sticky note with their thoughts, and often the student will edit or redesign their idea. Respectful collaboration is always an important component. Ultimately, an interactive word wall is another tool to keep students in the growth mindset. Providing them an arena to share ideas. A space to feel safe to add their discoveries and have discussions about the current topic.
A truly interactive word wall depends on how much students take ownership of it. encourage them to put ideas and drawings and artifacts on the board for others to see. When the unit is done I will be excited to take a picture and share it on my blog. Student-centered classrooms should have various ways for students to collaborate and cooperation towards a common goal. An interactive word wall provides all of my classes combined a way to come together and in concert make connections and find relevance.
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