In their comments here yesterday, Nathaniel and Laura have cast a big searchlight on what might be the first “big topic” of our year together here on the PLC. The two questions Nathaniel poses at the end of his comment below are colossal. Where will they take us?
Here’s Nathaniel’s comment:
With a list, the list is the goal. We memorize the list to to pass the quiz (so we can forget it and move on to something else).
In contrast, the word wall is not the goal. Expression, comprehension, and negotiation of meaning is the goal. The word wall is merely a reference point to fill in for a gap in our memory so that we can better maintain the flow of meaning.
I appreciate your analysis of word parts RE words walls, Laura. At the same time I look forward to hearing about the results of the emerging word wall experiment.
Questions we are considering:
(1) Would emerging word walls be more effective than pre-posted walls?
(2) Would one be more appropriate than the other, relative to the amount of experience of the students?