Each student should have a special notebook for copying and studying words on the word wall. Assign a new word each day, asking students to copy it from the wall. One student reads back the word's spelling while the others check their journals to ensure they have spelled the word correctly.
Tell students to write one word per page. They can use the rest of the page to write a phrase describing the word, use the word in a sentence, write two or three words that rhyme with it, and draw a picture of the word.
At least once or twice a week, play a game using the words on your classroom word wall. Some games can be played quietly at their desk while others can give students a chance to stretch their bodies and move around the room.
"Spell It Silly" is a game that allows students to practice spelling new words. The teacher gives each student a handful of items like chenille stems, macaroni, dried beans, bottle caps or buttons. She then removes a word from the word wall and reads it to the students before asking them to spell it using the items on their desk.
Teachers can also play classic games like hangman and bingo to help students memorize words on the wall.
Use bean bags, foam balls, rubber hopscotch mats and other game accessories to create active games that help students remember each day's new word. For example, scatter the word cards on the floor and ask students to take turns throwing bean bags until a bag falls on a card. The thrower then reads the word on that card.
Alternatively, have a group of students stand in a circle and throw a foam ball to each other. Each time they catch the ball, they must spell one of that week's words.
Look for ways to adapt popular games like dodge ball and tag into activities that use words on your classroom word wall.
This technique is especially effective for auditory and kinesthetic learners. Ask one student to point to a word on the word wall. Direct the rest of the class to chant or sing the letters in the word. They could also spell the word while snapping their fingers, stamping their feet or clapping their hands.