Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Select 5-8 word wall words
2. Record words on a piece of chart paper
   1. You may wish to record each word on a separate card that will be displayed on the word wall following the activity

Implementation:

1. Invite students to view words
2. Review each word by reading it aloud
   1. Provide the students with sentences that contain each word
   2. You may wish to implement a Making Words activity prior to clapping and chanting the list words
3. Invite 1 student at a time to the front of the classroom
4. Have the student lead the class in chanting, clapping or cheering each word
5. Continue the activity until all of the words have been spelled

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Use pictures or symbols to match each word
- Pre-teach the new words prior to the activity and provide the student with visual cues to aid understanding
- Point to each letter in the words as they are spelled

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Review the new words throughout the week
- Meet one-on-one with the student and review the spelling and meaning of each word
- Follow up by having the student orally share a sentence containing each word

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Select words that are culturally inclusive
- Allow students to make personal connections to the words

Differentiated Instruction:

- Cultural appropriateness
- Provide the students with a variety of actions to use while spelling the words
- Repeat the activity on a regular basis

Related References

Cunningham, P. M., & Allington, R.L. (2010). Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write (5th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Limited.

Graded lists of high frequency words have been developed by Fry and Dolch: http://www.k12reader.com/fry-word-list-1000-high-frequency-words/

Evidence:
Jasmine, J. & Schiesl, P. (2009). The effects of word walls and word wall activities on the reading fluency of first grade students. Reading Horizons, 49, 301-314.