Mammoth Science – Your place for biology education

Having taught various sciences over 24 years, I understand that learning science vocabulary can be challenging for some students. It can be especially difficult for those with learning challenges or who are English language learners. That’s why I find word walls to be such a valuable tool in my classroom.

One of the main benefits of word walls for struggling students is their ability to improve vocabulary. By exposing students to new scientific terms and concepts through the use of word walls, they are able to better understand and discuss scientific ideas. This can be especially helpful for students who may have difficulty retaining new vocabulary.

Word walls can also be an excellent resource for students with learning disabilities or who are English language learners. The visual aids provided by the word wall, such as pictures and definitions, can make scientific concepts more accessible to these students. This can help them feel more confident in their understanding of the material and more successful in their studies.

In addition to improving vocabulary, word walls can also increase student engagement and motivation. When students are able to physically manipulate the words on the wall and move them around, they become more invested in the learning process. This interactive approach can make learning more fun and engaging for struggling students.

I have also found that word walls can enhance reading skills, particularly for struggling students. Seeing new words prominently displayed on the wall helps them learn to read and pronounce them correctly, leading to improved reading skills overall.

Finally, word walls can be used as a collaborative learning tool, allowing students to work together and add new words and concepts to the wall. This promotes teamwork and collaboration among my students, which can be especially helpful for struggling students who may benefit from the support of their peers.

Some link where you can find resources to help you begin your word-wall journey:

• Reading Rockets
• Mrs Beatties Classroom. – word walls
• Keep them Thinking’
• Teacher Starter
• Edutopia

Here are some important things to consider when starting a word wall:

First, think about the words you want to include on the word wall. These might be key terms related to a specific topic you are studying, or they could be more general science vocabulary words. It can be helpful to choose words that your students may not be familiar with, as this will expose them to new vocabulary and concepts.

Next, consider how you will organize the word wall. You might arrange the words alphabetically, by theme, or by frequency of use. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to be consistent so that the word wall is easy for your students to use as a reference.

Once you have selected and organized your words, it’s time to decide how you will display the word wall. You might create a physical word wall on a bulletin board or whiteboard, or you might use a digital platform such as: Google Slides, Google Jamboard, or Padlet. Whatever method you choose, make sure the words are large and clear enough for your students to see and read easily.

Finally, think about how you will use the word wall in your lesson activities. You might ask your students to contribute new words to the word wall as they learn them, or you might use the word wall as a reference tool during reading or writing activities. By incorporating the word wall into your regular lesson routine, you can help your students make connections between new vocabulary and the concepts they are learning

In conclusion, word walls are an invaluable resource for struggling students in a science classroom. They can help improve vocabulary, increase engagement and motivation, enhance reading skills, and foster collaboration among students. If you are a teacher looking for ways to support struggling students in your science class, I highly recommend giving word walls a try.