Dear Educator,

Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you success and happiness both in and out of the classroom. Here at Primary Concepts, we're looking forward to mailing our new 2008 catalog in mid-February. We have over 100 new products this year, and I can't wait to show them to you in future newsletters or at one of our exhibits. Meanwhile, we're clearing our shelves in anticipation of our new products, which means bargains for you in our web-only Clearance Sale, February 8-10. Check your e-mail for further announcements.

This month, we're taking a look at using Word Walls in the primary classroom. I hope you find these tips and techniques useful as you begin the New Year.

Best wishes,

Rosalind Iiams, Editor
editor@primaryconcepts.com

Many teachers use word walls to display high-frequency words they hope their students will soon master. The words are usually listed in alphabetical order for easy reference. Whenever students need to use one of these words in their writing, they can simply find its correct spelling on the word wall. Real word mastery requires more, however, than just putting words up on the wall. The words need to be systematically introduced, taught, and reinforced over time.

When used effectively, a word wall serves as a visual scaffold. Students not only learn to recognize common sight words, they also learn to recognize familiar patterns in those words that will help them decode new words. Word walls also help children build vocabulary, and help in their writing as a quick reference for correct spelling. The more children interact with the words, the more they will learn. An effective word wall program includes word sorting by spelling or sound patterns, word building, and writing activities. Check out the sample pages below and the articles in the "Links" section for ways to get the most out of your classroom word wall.

Try these sample Word Wall Lessons from Word Wall Work.

Help your students learn to recognize, spell, and use high frequency words with this comprehensive kit. 254 large word tiles fit into the huge 48" by 38" pocket chart with alphabet header cards. Keep your tiles organized in the 24-drawer Word Tile Organizer. Use the included highlighter strips to accent special feature on individual words. Put it all together with the Word Wall Work book. This 208-page guidebook offers a comprehensive, sequential, multilayered system of daily word work.

Instead of having children learn words by rote, our word wall system encourages children to recognize and use meaningful spelling patterns in high-frequency words. As each new word is introduced, children analyze the words, look for special features, identify irregularities, relate the words to words they already know, build the words and others like them with letter tiles, write the words in their own special word books, and use the words in short writing tasks. The emphasis is on patterns and consistencies in high-frequency words. The goal is for all children to develop fluency reading and writing these important foundation words, but the Word Wall Work system has the side benefit of helping children learn to read and spell other less common words that share the same spelling patterns.

January specials, online only!

 Word Wall Kit

Regularly $103.00; Special $90.00

How are you using word walls in your classroom? Let us know, and we'll share with our readers.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues and friends.

Copyright 2008 Primary Concepts. All rights reserved.

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