It's Owl Good!

I though I would take some time to share my word wall. I redesigned my word wall this year. I read a post on pintrest that describe what is best practice for word walls. Each letter should have its own box. Students are better able to focus in on boarders. In Kindergarten each letter should also have a picture to help associate the sound. If a student can't remember a letter name they may remember the picture. I spent some time hunting for cards that I liked. The one thing I didn't do yet is make the vowels a different color to help them stand out. I think I will use highlighter tape to do this. (Now I just need to find it lol.)

I knew I had to make it my own and add my own owl touch. (Well that and because the teacher next door made a fabulous picnic themed word wall!) I used brown tape from AC Moore. Quite a fiasco when I ran out of it and need 2 feet more and had to drive out of my way to get it.) I used green boarded and added leaves and owls to make if feel like a tree. I really loved the way it turned out. I think it is adds a creative touch to my word wall without making it too busy for the kids. 

This year I decided to move it closer to the ground so the kids have easier access to it. Last year I had it up high on a bulletin board and I felt like the kids couldn't interact with it. I also felt like I had done a better job using the word wall when I worked in York. We really spent time using it with the kids and practicing our words. The students were able to read and write their words. 

 One of my favorite games is the flyswatter game. I split the students into teams. Each team has a member come up to the word wall. I then announce a word. The first person to swat the word with their fly swatter gets a point for their team. The kids really love the friendly competition. 

Another thing I do with the word wall words is to practice using them in sign language. I find that the movements help the reach the kinesthetic learners. It is also a way to make it meaningful to the advanced students. They can already read the word but now they can practice signing it. The students like to watch me go to aslpro.com and look up the words. I really enjoy learning the sign language too!