Word Walls at Home! By Dr. Felecia Nace, Family and Community
Relations Office, New Jersey Department of Education Many
parents may have noticed a “word wall” displayed in their
child’s classroom. This is a collection of words that is usually
placed on one particular wall in classrooms ranging from pre-K
to grade 12. Its main function is to reflect the vocabulary
words that are learned in various subject areas across the
curriculum throughout the school year. This is done in an effort
to help students remember the spelling and meanings of words and
to bring clarity to topics. Typically, challenging words that
students encounter while learning new subject matter are defined
by the student or teacher and then reviewed in class, discussed,
and finally placed on the classroom word wall. The word wall can
be used to connect old knowledge to new knowledge as students
move from one topic to the next. The teacher will often refer to
the words during future lessons throughout the school year, and
challenge students to