How Can ELL/DL students benefit from Word Walls?
Many state standards require students to not only solve problems with accuracy, but also require students to explain their problem solving process in writing. This can be a challenge to students who are learning English as a second language or for students who struggle with limited vocabulary skills. Creating a word wall in the classroom can support students’ writing in relation to their academic thinking. Concept Wheel A “concept wheel” is a graphic organizer you can use to allow students to build meaning for themselves. Draw a circle on a piece of paper. Divide the circle into four parts. Make copies for each student. In the first box, the student writes the word from the word wall that they would like to understand better. In the second box they brainstorm a list of words that they think of when they hear the word in the first box. In the third box is the formal definition of the word. The fourth box is the definition in the students’ own words. This activity supports the constructi
