Portable word walls are fantastic. They help make words accessible to students in so many ways. Kids are able to physically hold and the words or word lists and the words can travel with them. Many of the children that I have worked with over the years, have difficulty copying words from the board or across the room. By using portable word walls, children bring the words right to their work space. I wanted to create a portable word wall station that is quick and easy to make. While also being space saving and user-friendly in the classroom.
What is a Portable Word Wall?
A portable word wall is a set of words that is available for students to use right at their work space. Portable word walls can take many forms, but the main benefit is that it brings the words to the student! Check out this post with some of the portable word walls that I use with my kids.
Why Use Portable Word Walls?
There are many reasons to use portable word walls, but my primary reason for using them is that students are able to physically interact with the words. Allowing students to use some type of portable word wall brings the words right to their work space. Some children have great difficulty in copying words from a distance, so this eliminates the stress and error of copying from across the room. It is easier for students to focus on the specific words when they are right in front of them.
DIY: Portable Word Wall Station
Now for the DIY! This word wall station was inspired by the science fair. Every year, I can’t wait for science fair season. I love exploring hands-on science with my kids and (I confess) helping them create the display for the science fair. I do dread discarding the tri-fold board after the fair is over, so I had to come up with an idea to reuse the tri-fold science fair. Since I am crazy for thematic word walls (and my husband is tired of seeing me ruin the walls), I decided to make a portable word wall station. Check out this easy DIY: Tri fold Portable Word Wall Station!
This DIY is very simple. All you need is a tri fold presentation board, word walls on metal rings, and some plastic hooks with adhesive. I used 3M Command Hooks.
- Gather all your materials.
- Lay out the portable word walls on top of the tri-fold board.
- After the word wall rings are spaced evenly along the board, simply attach the plastic hooks to the board.
- Place a title on the board. Get mine for free here.
- You are ready to use your word wall station!
Word Walls for Your New Station
Thematic word walls are engaging and will boost student vocabulary AND can come in a variety of forms. Check out some of the word walls that I use with my new portable word wall station. My collection of word walls includes both word lists and word cards. Use my word walls with your new station, or create your own- Just make sure to get your kids’ hands on a portable word wall!
Thematic Word Lists
Check out a post about my thematic word lists here. Get them from my TeachersPayTeachers store here.
Want to make a Mini Anchor Chart Stand to hold word wall lists? Check out this post with clear directions on how to create a tabletop anchor chart stand.
Thematic Word Cards
Check out a blog post that shows the word cards in action. Get a free sample to try out here.
And get a free sample to try out here!
