Word Wall for 1st/2nd Split

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Home : 2004 : July : 27

Word Wall for 1st/2nd Split
By KW

I taught a 1st/2nd split last year. You really don't need two (high frequency)word walls. You'll find the first just going over to the second to find words anyway. Begin the year adding names and beginning sight words. The
2nds will benefit from the review. If you utillize the word wall correctly, by the time you add the harder 2nd grade words, the 1st graders will benefit from them as well. Just make sure you either add the words in context (for instance, when you are dong shared writiing and you come across a word..."how would we spell BECAUSE? Let's add it to the word wall.) or add small groups (5 at

a time) and introduce them well, play games with them, etc. (Patricia Cunningham has great WW activities).

Start one word family wall. The 1sts will begin by adding simple families (at, ap...)Again, the 2nds will need the review, just make sure you add words that have blends...have them figure those out (clap, slap...)Add the more difficult 2nd grade families (I found there were only a few we added in 2nd that we didn't cover in 1st)but make sure to play with those families later when its appropriate for the 1st graders (ie long vowel word families -ate, -ike). Second graders will review these early in the year, 1st graders will learn them later. I make my word family list on big pieces of 12x18 construction paper with a picture clue at top (ie cake for -ake words). When I teach it to the 1sts, I can just pull down that whole family. Sometimes, we even make a new one and put it up instead. You'll be amazed though, what the 1st graders will pick up from the 2nd graders. Good Luck.