In this post I explain why I tore down my traditional word wall and replaced it with a phoneme sound wall. I share the benefits of a sound wall and finally, the Phoneme Sound Wall with Mouth Articulation Photos resource to help teachers create a sound wall in the classroom.
Word walls. You know, the big bulletin boards that contain a collection of high-frequency sight words. Words that students encounter frequently in their reading and writing, as well as words they frequently misspell.
If you are a K-2 teacher, I bet you have one.
Yep, me too. I mean, I had a word wall.
You see, last year I ripped mine off the wall.
In theory, word walls sound very effective. You introduce a few new words, practice the new words for a week or so, and then slap those puppies up on the word wall! The expectation is that your students will reference them for the remainder of the school year
I followed this practice and had a word wall for years and years and years.
Then last year I ripped it off the wall.
Say what?
Yep, that’s right. I tore down my word wall and replaced it with a sound wall.
What is a Sound Wall?
A sound wall is a way to organize and display the different sounds (or phonemes) we hear in speech. Like a word wall, a sound wall is a place for students to reference when they are spelling and reading words. But UNLIKE a traditional A-Z word wall (where words are grouped by their beginning letter), words on a sound wall are grouped by their sounds.
Another difference is that consonants and vowels are organized separately and in different ways.
A consonant sound wall is organized by the manner of articulation (how the sound is being formed) and the place of articulation (wherein the mouth a sound is occurring).
A vowel sound wall organized by the place of articulation. It is visually represented in the shape of a V or a valley to mimic the change in position of our mouths and shift in our jaw when we produce the different the vowel sounds.
When you see a sound wall you will often find pictures of mouths next to each sound. This helps students better understand what their tongue and mouth are doing when they produce a sound and encourages them to pay attention to the way their mouth feels, looks and acts when they produce different sounds. Mouth pictures are a great support to help students connect the sounds they hear with the print that represents them.
Take a look at this post for more information about how sound walls are organized.
Why I Tore Down My Word Wall and Put Up a Sound Wall
The more I read and learned about sound walls, the more they made sense to me! Here are a few of the main benefits I see to using a sound wall in the classroom:
- Sound walls are based on the science of reading! Research finds that readers make the connection between print patterns and phonological information that is already stored in the brain in order to then make meaning of the word they’re reading (Moats, 2010). This is why explicitly teaching phonemes is necessary before you teach sound-letter correspondence.
- Sound walls approach things from the student’s point of view. A traditional A-Z word wall categorizes words by their first letter. But that doesn’t make sense to someone who is just learning to spell! A student looking for the word phone will not naturally look to P. Putting the word knee under K is confusing to them! A sound wall categorizes words by their sounds which makes much more sense to the learner!
- They allow for explicit instruction of phonemes. Kids learn to talk well before they learn to read or write. This is because our brains are hardwired for oral language, but not for reading and writing. Students need direct and explicit instruction on how to read, write, and spell. A sound wall is a tool that allows for this valuable, explicit phonics instruction.
It became so clear to me that sound walls are a powerful tool to help students learn to read and write! Next, I focused on how I would use a sound wall in my classroom and made a plan for introducing it to my students.
Last, I just needed create all the components of my sound wall. That’s just what I did and now I can share it with you!
Phoneme Sound Wall Resource
A sound wall has a lot of components, but don’t let that overwhelm you! You don’t have to create anything, I’ve already done that for you!
I created the Phoneme Sound Wall with Mouth Articulation Photos resource that has absolutely everything you need to create a sound wall from start to finish! Rather than spending hours creating the materials yourself, you can focus your time on planning and providing smarter phonics instruction to your students. And isn’t that the way it should be??
To get your sound wall started you’ll get phoneme cards and phoneme group labels to organize the sounds on the wall.
The mouth articulation photos are a wonderful support as you focus on what lips, teeth, and tongue are doing when you produce a sound.
You’ll also get sound spelling cards (both large and small) and sound spelling picture cards to post below each phoneme.
The resource also includes materials for your students! These materials allow you to differentiate and provide the support students need to be independent readers and writers!
The student materials include:
- Vowel Valley Chart (2 versions)
- Consonant Chart (2 versions)
- A-Z Sound Spelling Chart for student folders
- Alphabet Chart (color and b/w)
- My ABC Dictionary
I love this resource because it has everything (and more!) you need to get a sound wall up and running in your classroom. The only thing you need to do is print the materials, cut and laminate, if you wish!
I felt that by taking my word wall off the wall and replacing it with a sound wall was giving my students a more useful tool. If you still use a traditional word wall but it feels more like a classroom decoration, or you just want to improve your phonics and writing instruction, I encourage you to give a sound wall a try. It is a tool that will transform instruction and help your students grow as readers and writers.
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I did the same as well two years ago! I didn't see the point of having one on the wall when they never used it. I love the idea of taping them on the tables and on their home folders! My students have an office and dictionary where they look them up but putting it in more places is a great idea!
Thank you!
I had one that was magnetic on the white board so the students could take the word off of the word wall and take it back to their seat. My cooperating teacher (a long time ago) had one that was attached with velcro so students could take the word off. It is silly for the students to get out of their seat, go look at the word, go back to their seat, write the one or two letters they remember, go back and search for the word on the wall again and go back to their seat etc..
I'm a reading specialist and totally agree with having it at their finger tips. In many rooms there is so much up on the walls students don't know which way to look! Using my Title money I purchased a stand that lets me hang posters so I can flip to the one needed for that lesson.
I agree with the amount of “stuff” we need on the walls…..but I also like your idea of a stand that I can flip to the right poster for that lesson. Did you get your stand in a school catalog? I was easy and inexpensive!
I love this idea! I’m going to try this for the upcoming school year.
This year I tried a word book. Set up with 1 page for each letter of the alphabet. Every week we added our high frequency words. They pulled the book out whenever we were writing.
Great idea, thanks so much for sharing!
Would you be willing to share it?
Hi Brooke, I’m not sure what you mean?
I agree with you. I am a Resource Room teacher and my students often have great difficulty scanning the wall from their seats and getting that info from their eyes, into their brain and then correctly transferred to their paper. I have given them all a portable list. The next step is asking the Gen Ed teachers about taping these down to their desks. I made the word wall in my room on a few taped-together-tri-folds that sit on the floor so the kids can bring it to the table or sit on the floor and look at it. I also have them available at the table. I agree with Eenie, there are so many things hanging in classrooms – way too much sensory input for my student with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments!
Good considerations for a general education teacher!
Great idea! For years I have had issues with word walls. I didn't think they were that helpful to students really. We'd say "well what does 'favorite' start with?" Student would then look for /f/, but then never sure from there. So I went to making a Sound Wall. First grade is about those sound teams! HOLY MOLY was it so much better for the kids. They could hear the /ou/ and look for the two ways to make it and then be able to find it in there. Student's helped me make pictures to correspond. Way way way more effective. This year after the school year started I was moved out of 1st and down to Kinder. So I went back to the old fashion word wall way for the time being. I shall figure out something way better at some point!
Have you found a way to incorporate the "sound" wordwall in Kinder?
Hi! Do you have a picture of your sound wall? Sounds amazing!
Lori
Can you send me a picture and any resources you can share with me about this word wall? I teach 2nd but love the idea of a sound wall, but not sure exactly what it would look like.
My email is gcasaceli2012@gmail.com please!!!
I would love to see a pic of ur sound wall
I love this! Of course now that I'm in third I don't use one anyway but when I taught first for years I struggled with the word wall as well. I had similar easy access word walls in several places too and they used it more. It makes sense to me girly. Happy new year! xox
Vicky
I agree with you. My wall space is limited and my room is long and narrow. My word wall was too far away for kids to see. I attach one to my writing folders and they have a "pictionary" for reference as well.
I just compiled a dictionary for my 4th graders….but your idea of attaching a list to their writing folder is great…..esp. those frequently missed words–like They, Because, etc.
It is fun to have time (now that school is out) to READ blogs!!
YES!!! Summer is a low stress way to reflect on things to implement in our classrooms! Thanks for stopping by! ~Christina
I absolutely love this idea. It will be less distracting than them standing at my word wall rather than in the spot where they are working. Excellent idea. I will be implementing this next year.
Yay! It's so nice to hear that I'm not the only one who took down the "Word Wall". There are better ways! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Love it! I am about to start the year with Foundation stage 2. I didn’t want to make a word wall either. I am glad found this article. Thanks
Thanks Soha! Glad you visited my website 🙂 Christina
I love this idea! My only concern is when I test my 1st Graders on spelling these sight words. How do you handle that?
Maybe make a cover for the words that are on the table. I would try using laminated black construction paper and use washi (paper)tape or sticky tack to keep it in place temporarily.
I think another thing to consider: if students are using the wordwall as a reference to check that they spelled the word correctly on a spelling test, is that a "bad thing?"
I LOVE the idea of placing the “word wall” into the multiple places that students visit daily. Thank you for sharing.
Making the words available, also allows the students to “ self correct.”
Thank you!
I use to tape only the top of any desk chart. Students can the flip it over during testing. Could also put something on the back so it is easy to glance around the room to check before beginning test. I also use a resource folder for students to keep at their desk. I number the folders and the charts/resources to use multiple years.
Great ideas Rebecca! Especially labeling the folders with names so they can be reused! Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree with you. Students do better when the word lists are on their desks, tables, or work areas. They are portable, movable. I use my mini lists more and the kids like them so much better.
I have thought about taking mine down for years now, with Kinders especially getting up and down and having that NOT distract them from their work is a constant battle. What a great idea!
OK I see your points on this (although sometimes I think my Kinders NEED to get out of their seat and get a little exercise on their way to finding a word), but here is my question: An important thing about a word wall is that it grows as kids are introduced to and held responsible for new words. So in September there are only a few words, and by January and then June there are a many more. How do you efficiently add to the mini-word walls as new words are taught, so that the "June Words" aren't on the lists to confuse the kids in September or December or January?
Hi, I think there is a HUGE difference between Kindergarten and First grade readers/writers. With that being said, I do teach a few words a week to my 1st grade students in small groups BUT I believe it would be a disservice to them to limit access to all the basic sight words until the end of the year, that is why I am giving them access to all the words a month or so into the school year. Once I have taught the words, there is an expectation they spell them correctly in their writing. This works for me and my population of students I teach. It may not work for everyone and I believe we are professionals who have to make the best INTENTIONAL decisions for our students. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for this comment. I teach Kindergarten and I know you are referencing sight words here, but I recently ditched my word wall for a “sound wall” and it was a huge success. They have other places to reference their sight words, and the word wall was just a huge waste of space that no one used. This year, there is a LOT of criticism centered around having a sound wall put up in it’s entirety (now, I only do the vowel valley, digraphs, and blends – basically, what we teach) instead of putting it up as I teach, but the reason I do is because I teach them what it is, how to use it, and during independent reading, students will look for letter combinations/sounds they don’t know, find it on the wall, and learn how to sound it out. even if I haven’t taught on it yet. It was amazing to see my LOWER kids last year really benefit from it in their reading and in their writing. I just don’t love the idea of telling them, “no, since we don’t teach this, you can’t learn it yet.” By having it up, they have it all at their fingertips. I know it doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worked well for me, so thank you for your resource and encouragement.
Hi Mrs. D.,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and success! I have suggested teachers lock untaught sounds and unlock with students, but I think you are right that can be limiting to students who would benefit from having the complete sound wall to refer to. I think a good compromise is to have the entire wall on a student folder to refer to individually. I also like an idea I saw where a teacher printed the sound spelling cards in grayscale and used them as a cover of untaught phonemes. Feel free to share your sound wall with me on Facebook or Instagram or even by email, I’d love to see it! 🙂 -Christina 💕
Could you tape a sheet protector to the table and then change out the mini word wall each month to add the new words? You would have to have several versions of your mini word wall (maybe labeled by the month or week however often you add words), but after the initial set up, it wouldn’t be that bad to change them or even have the kids change them.
Great idea Susy, thanks for sharing!
If the students were given the entire list early in the school year, could you have them highlight the words as they are introduced? Just a thought as I’m trying to think this through.
That is a great idea Kristi!
I am just reading this tonight as I found it looking for activities for summer school. I am an occupational therapist and I service K-12. I applaud you. Two reasons. First of all Word Walls = extreme visual clutter in the classroom which results in visual sensory overload to so many students and we may not even realize it. Second, it is quite possible students were using the word wall less because so many students struggle with visual motor integration and oculomotor skills. These skills are required in order to discriminate and locate desired words at a far distance and copy (using convergence and divergence of the eyes). I love the new ways you are using many mini-word walls. I may be an OT but have a huge place in my heart and an enormous amount of appreciation for you teachers! 🙂
I agree! I teach resource and try to keep the visual clutter to a minimum. When I see crazy word walls I cringe
OT’s are amazing!
I am so glad I came across this! I teach first grade and have always had a huge word wall bulletin board in my classroom. This September we are going to a brand new building..yay. But we are not allowed to put anything on the walls in fear of paint coming off and there are only two small bulletin boards in the room. I have been thinking all summer about what I am going to do in terms of my word wall. I think this will be the solution!
Glad to see other first grade teachers thinking the same thing. I am also in a new building with limited bulletin boards. We are allowed to tape up, but, NOTHING sticks to the walls! Command strips, duct tape, shipping tape, nothing! Short of having to staple my word wall up, I am thinking of doing this solution — do you have any other solutions for decorating the classroom without being able to stick to the walls? I am dying for ideas! Have a good year!
Have you tried hot glue? I have read that it sticks great and peels right off. Good luck!
Hot glue will sometimes take the paint off as well. But if you put contact paper down and then hot glue on top, everything comes off very easy and no tape is peeled!
Use barnacle ceiling hooks. I also used the colored links to hold alphabet letters.
I am so excited to use this in my classroom this year! I have been searching for an alternative to the traditional word wall and I think this will definitely work. Over the years, I have found that my world wall gets sort of lost in the room. I think my students will benefit more from having a "mini word wall" thats easily accessible to them instead of having to look up at a bulletin board.
I am new to first grade where all the teachers I work with have Word Walls. How do you manage the "rebuttal" of having not taught the word yet before making it available to the students?
Hi Eileen, I think if you make decisions with INTENTION you can never go wrong. My teammates all have a WW but don't have issues (at least that I know of) that I do not. If I am approached about it, I would explain EVERYTHING else I am doing to support my students. Hope that helps 🙂
I think Eileen is asking the same thing I asked back on July 1st. When you put a whole iist of words on paper and hand it to the kids, it defeats one of the main purposesand commitments of a word wall, which is that the kids are responsible for using the words without asking because THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAUGHT THE WORD, it's spelling, and it's meaning. If I give them a card with the 50 words I want them to know by the end of the year, but I give it to them in September, they are looking at a confusing jumble of letters that are not meaningful to them, so asking them to use the list and find the word they need, is confusing and counterproductive.
OOOO, I hope this post did not come off as I don't teach the sight words! I definitely teach sight words to my students on an individual as needed basis (usually in small groups and with individual sight word lists). My students always practice sight words in some sort of literacy activity during work work each week. 🙂
Just an idea….what if the complete sight word list was given/posted one month into school, but as each sight word is learned, the students highlighted that word on the list? Students would be expected to correctly spell all highlighted words on the list.
Great idea!!
I was thinking of the same thing; to highlight only the words that are being learned. Or, use a blank list for each student and add to the list words that are being taught. This way you can differentiate each students’ lists. I teach K, and the students bring their blank High Frequency word lists to small group and we add the words at that time. Took down word wall too. Students did better when I put each word we were learning in a pocket chart!
Great idea!
As I sit here pouring over pintrest looking for ideas for a word wall in a room with no space for a word wall I finally think – Yeah! I used a sight word board (tri-fold project boards) in kindergarten where our sight words (multiple copies) were posted in library pockets so that students could take the words to their spots to use and then replace them in the pocket when done. I like this method, my kindies liked this method (it's got the move about factor included). I took it out and it sat on the floor when we needed it. We could move it freely about the room and put it where it best fit our writing needs and fold it up and put it away when we needed space for other activities. However, I've just graduated to grade one and my teaching partners all have large, fancy, pretty, word walls. I feel the pressure! I just have no space in my room where I could incorporate an interactive word wall. This discussion gives me renewed spirit…good bye stationary word wall, hello portable and individual word walls. I like the highlighting idea, it gives them ownership of their lists.
This sounds amazing! Thank you! I used to have students that couldn't see very well and it was a struggle tho see the word wall and of course there were students who would just plain forget to look!
I teach 3rd currently but have taught K, 1, and 5 also over the last 28 years. I love your Sound Wall because it reinforces the spelling patterns that remain so elusive to kids even after they have memorized hundreds of sight words. This is a great combination of many skills and useful resources!
I agree Deb! Thanks for visiting and reading along! 🙂 -Christina 💕
I am a Kindergarten and we add to the word wall as we go. I was already thinking about not using it next year because I had the same problem with limited space and students not being able to see. I like your idea of putting it on the table. A very has labels that could be easily removed at the end of the year. I would probably have the students write the sight words as we learn it. I believe when they write it by themselves they feel more empowered. Great idea!
I am teaching 2nd grade this year. We have had word family posters which do take up a lot of room. I am in a trailer this year, so space is definitely limited. I like the mini-word wall lists. One suggestion I would make is to color code the words they are responsible for and have a different color for each month with a key.
My kids have a categorized color coded (by subject)Learning Tools Binder. Each binder has several sheet protectors where kids put any teaching aides we use (sight words, vocabulary by categories/subject, phonics, math fluency, writing rubric, etc. They not only use the binders as resource, but also as Early Finisher practice pages.
I did something similar! Each student had a “Write Right” Folder. I found a free spelling dictionary on Pinterest which had alphabetical sight words and common words and many blank spaces to write words specific to each student. In this folder, I also included grammar reminders and spelling tips and Early Finishers packets.
I love this idea! #iteachk1specialones who are also ELL's and High Frequency Words/Sight Words are always a struggle for them to learn/master. I will try this method bc a word wall doesn't work for my class! Thank you for the resource and your inspiration!
I teach first grade but have also taught 2nd and 3rd. I do have a word walk but my word walk is located under the white board and easy access for students. Each word is individually detachable by Velcro so students can take a word back to where they are writing and copy the word. Then they put it right back. Words are organized by alphabet headers and some kids like to put a row in abc order on their free time, too. This year I color coded words by mastery tests so as I put up words they can also remember which color was used when they learned to read the word they need. My greatest joy is when my struggling readers begin to utilize the word wall during writing!
Great ideas Judy!
I’m so glad this popped up in my Pinterest feed! I have been trying to come up with a good solution because I am trying to figure out a better solution for a word wall that actually is useful for my students. This is awesome- and I really appreciate the freebie!
SO HAPPY you like it Karen 🙂
Great ideas!
I also agree that having the words displayed on the wall are not as effective as having them displayed where children can see and access them easily.
Thanks Humi!
I agree and disagree. I see students, year after year, automatically look to a particular anchor chart or my word wall, as they work.
I think modeling and repeated expectations and reminders attuned my kids to use these resources.
I do love the back of homework folder idea, and may do desk one, too.
Thanks for your ideas!
I’m a third grade teacher & love the idea of putting site words or frequently misspelled words at their finger tips. We just started using Lucy Caukin’s Teacher’s College & having a laminated copy at their finger tips would be great!!! I also have up an alphabet pocket chart. Each year I put an index card for each letter pocket & we start building our word wall. The children will ask how to spell words they need for their writing. These words are often words that wouldn’t be on a specific list, but what the children need. Sometimes it’s added, other times they find that their friend had already asked. It’s a wonderful way to see how their vocabulary increases when they are asking for their specific words.
I LOVE this idea! My word wall in the past has not been as productive/useful as it should’ve been. I was thinking about changing it to a sound wall, organizing words by their vowel spellings. Would it be way to confusing to second graders to have a sound wall and a mini word wall at their desks? The words would be different, obviously but I don’t want to confuse them.
Molly, I have seen “sound word walls” in classrooms before> I think as long as you explicitly teach it and have the kids help build the WW it makes sense!
My of the high frequency words do not follow the rules when it comes to vowel sounds. I keep the sound wall separate.
I have not used word walls either…. young kiddos do not have the eye coordination to look up and copy a word without having to keep looking and finding it and where they left off… I’ve always used portable word walls… each kid gets their own copy and I make sure there is a copy on the inside cover of their journals and like you everywhere in the room where they might need to see words.
YES! Great idea Donna!
I am thinking of using spelling dictionaries this year. The sight words are already included along with space to add additional words. I like the idea of highlighting the words that have been taught. Thanks for all the great ideas.
I did something similar! Each student had a “Write Right” Folder. I found a free spelling dictionary on Pinterest which had alphabetical sight words and common words and many blank spaces to write words specific to each student. In this folder, I also included grammar reminders and spelling tips and Early Finishers packets.
Do you have a link for this dictionary? This Write Right folder sounds amazing!
Without me having to cross check Sight Word Lists, what source did you use for your sight words-Fry Word Lists, a state or county list, a basal list?
Thanks for saving me time.
Hi Shelia-
The words are a mix of high frequency lists. When I created they were the words that my team and I noticed that our students had the most trouble with and needed most frequently while writing. Hope this helps!
I couldn’t agree more! I haven’t had a word wall in years. It takes up way too much space. The words have to be small to fit them all. Our district bought Words I Use When I Write books for each student and these are like personal word walls. There are also blank spaces on each page. I train students that if they need a word and open to the letter it begins with, I will write that word. It becomes a personal word walk filled with their words…their dog’s name, family members, etc. I have amazing writers each year and these books have a lot to do with it. Students become confident writers because they have this support.
I love this idea! I would like to do this in my room. Do you provide ALL of the words for the entire school year on the list at the beginning of the year? Or do you add and give out new lists as they learn words? Thanks!
I actually provide the word list for the entire year but I don’t tape it down on their desks until we are set in our routines and have fully started writer’s workshop (6weeks). Finding tricky words on our word list is a mini lesson. Some kids use it more at the beginning of the year but almost all of my kids who need the support use it later in the year. I have worked with teachers who use a limited list that builds as the year goes on and I think that may work well too. Hope this helps! ~Christina
I actually provide the word list for the entire year but I don’t tape it down on their desks until we are set in our routines and have fully started writer’s workshop (6weeks). Finding tricky words on our word list is a mini lesson. Some kids use it more at the beginning of the year but almost all of my kids who need the support use it later in the year. I have worked with teachers who use a limited list that builds as the year goes on and I think that may work well too. Hope this helps! ~Christina
My K students use my word wall all the time. It is below the interactive white board and in front of the rug where they sit a lot throughout the day. I also put their names with their pictures on the word wall. The word wall center is there on the rug. It works for me. I like the idea of adding a sight word list to the inside of their journals. I include Fry’s 1st 100 in every weekly homework packet. I put the sound wall behind the teacher table where they come for reading groups so we can refer to it. I also point them to the sound wall when they ask me how to spell words during writing time.
I use a virtual word wall on a pptt.
Several of the first grade classrooms have tables instead of desks. Any ideas of how to use this on tables? Maybe put in the center of the table?
I have taped the word lists to the tables. I have also purchased plastic standing clear photo frames but got annoyed that they continually fell over. You could also laminate a bunch and put them in the table caddies, but in my experience having them taped down visually next to children works best! 🙂 Christina
I am so glad that I am not the only one feeling this way about word wall. What is the point if kids need to get up, look for, see it, and forget how to spell by the time he gets back to his seat. I DID have a word wall because I was told to have it. Well, after two weeks, they were gone. I made one just like yours, and the kids have their copy in their chair pocket. I have not had a word wall for more than 15 years now.
You make a lot of valid points, thanks for sharing! -Christina
I SO want to do this……now to convince admin/county that this is a better idea! I LOVE the idea of the sound wall…..can’t afford to purchase right now. Wonder if I can just use this and hopefully admin/county will see the benefit????? HHHMMMMmmm
I can’t wait to hear about the success your students have with the sound wall you got! -Christina