Interactive Word Wall with the IWB

[Roland O'Daniel]

I'm working with several math teaches (although this is not discipline specific) to create interactive word walls with their IWBs. We are creating text boxes with single words, symbols, numbers, and small graphics that can be moved around to be manipulated by students (and teachers) to make connections, classify, identify, create/model relationships, etc .

I am interested in finding out what other teachers have already done with this idea. As well as determine if anyone is interested in creating along with us? We have a basic idea but want to get multiple perspectives on how it might be included in a classroom routine.

[Shelly Moses]

I like your idea. I'd like to explore the idea of moving the word wall to the IWB. My only concern is not having it available when groups are using the board for other small group activities. Although it seems that anything on the wall for too long becomes background noise. I'd like to come along with you. So you have the idea of the text boxes with graphics, etc... Are you thinking new slides for each strand/standard? I'll gladly share in the creation of the files. I teach first grade so let me know what you have already and what you are looking for. If different people each make a slide we can combine them for some great word walls.

[Roland O'Daniel]

Great! I work mostly with middle and high, but the idea itself is what I'm really interested in exploring.
What I really like about your comment is the recognition that things on the wall become background noise after a while or if not used routinely.
Yes, again, about different files for each word wall. Create them once have them for use again. I advocate for including things other than just words in IWWs, like symbols, numbers, names, places (depending on your content) because I like my students to make connections as part of the activities.

I'm on the road the next two days working with teachers and will send you an email or a comment when I get back home. Thanks and I would love to know what you envision your word wall accomplishing or what you want to achieve as a result of your use of the IWW with your students. I throw this out there because it helps me understand how teachers make decisions about what they do in their instruction.

Again, I look forward to sharing some ideas and seeing how they are working!!

[Shelly Moses]

LOVE you ides of adding things besides words! You've just made me winder why I never thought of it before... you could also add links to the word wall as well. If I have some time I might start a Thanksgiving word wall this weekend, or if I don't get to it that soon, then maybe a geometry or patterns word wall.

[Roland O'Daniel]

Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't get to this sooner. I'm taking a couple of stats courses and am behind on a couple assignments, and this just slid down the to do list. I'm very excited about the opportunity to share. I will have a file uploaded to the discussion that might be applicable to first grade. Content is counting, skip couting, grouping?? I'm just not familiar with first grade. I can think of several things that I would do immediately with the grouping that add to ten. I would include at least two of every number so students could make the pairs that create ten. I also see the advantage to allowing students to create numbers greater than ten that way also. What other content should I be thinking about. I know you said geometry, but I see that as a different file for now. Again, thanks for bringing this back to my attention.

[Shelly Moses]

That sounds good to me. Once I might have some time tonight to work on it. What grade/subjects do you teach? Maybe I can help you out too. Sometimes it's nice to get ideas from someone on the other end of the spectrum, someone who is thinking differently.

[Roland O'Daniel]

I don't teach anymore. I work with teachers to improve instruction. I work on several research projects from content literacy to a hybrid approach to algebra instruction. I was formally a middle and high school math teacher with the emphasis on high school. I am currently working with middle school teachers to explore this idea, but am flexible.

[Shelly Moses]

Here is a collection of word walls I have been creating for measurement. I am not finished. I still need to add a page on capacity. I also have issues with the clocks displaying the true time when the file is opened, rather than being set for the word wall. I'll be trying the walls out with my first grade class this week, then plan to edit during the break. Let me have your feedback.

[Roland O'Daniel]

Shelly, I just sent this on to several teachers that I work with in a Math and Science Partnership Project in Knott county Kentucky. I loved it!! I really loved the about almost included in the language when measuring. I'm working with them very intentionally to develop number sense with their students and to do things like have the students measure more and more so that they can develop more experience with measurement. I think including that language is critical. I love it!
The balance scale is such a great tool, but I hadn't thought about including the language with the scale to intentionally develop students connections of the language. You are a genious. I look forward to working with these teachers more this summer and will definitely develop more of this idea with them. I'm very energized now (and it's been a long day). Thanks.

[Reni Whitcombe]

I am new to revolution and see this cnversation was started several months ago. I teach 7th & 8th grade math and have found many students do not know the basic math vocabulary such as product or congruent. This year I started an interactive word wall on my unused magnetic chalkboard in my room. It took a long time to create as I typed up the definitions and symbols and laminated all the parts. Unfortunately, I stopped making it as students weren't using as much as I had hoped and I got involved in other projects. I never thought about using the SMART board to do this. What have you created so far and has anyone used it effectively? I would be interested in hearing how others have used it in a 45 minute class period.

[Shelly Moses]

I have only the the one word wall so far, see above, but for vocabulary in language arts I often use the keyword match or flippers for vocabluary review at the beginning of a lesson. Then I leave the the activities on the board for reference. For the the keyword match when you reset the board the words and definitions go to new places so you can also use it for review. You can also use the tiles for a memory-type game. All of these tools are in the gallery under "interactives and multimedia."

[Roland O'Daniel]

Shelly I have a couple. I will upload as soon as I get a chance. I'm away from my pentab for a couple of days (loaned out for another project).
I'm understanding this better and better. I like it!!!!!! Used with a teacher who helped make things really happen. Sorry, I'm sitting in a meeting and going though email. Will post more soon. Thanks for staying with this conversation.

[Shelly Moses]

I am looking forward to seeing what you have created!