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Bump It Up Walls in Your Classroom

Bump It Up Walls: The Classroom Game-Changer

Bump It Up Walls are not just a trendy concept; they are a fantastic tool to make learning visible and interactive in your classroom. In this blog post, let’s explore how Bump It Up Walls can revolutionise your teaching approach, create a dynamic learning environment, and empower your students.

The Research Behind Bump It Up Walls

Wondering what the research says about Bump It Up Walls? We were also wondering this, so we dug a little deeper and found some links to research. You can read about the links to evidence supporting the effectiveness of this tool in enhancing student learning in this post. You’ll discover how Bump It Up Walls contribute to clearer learning intentions and serve as a valuable ‘third teacher’ in the classroom, especially when you’re occupied with other students.

Setting Up Your Bump It Up Wall: Simple and Effective Tips

Curious about how to set up a Bump It Up Wall in your classroom? Check out our post , which includes practical tips and easy-to-follow steps. From finding or creating levelled examples to setting up the display, learn the ropes of creating an engaging and informative Bump It Up Wall that resonates with your students.

Using Bump It Up Walls

So, one the display is up, how do I use Bump It Up Walls in the classroom? Read our tips (with links to further reading) to learn how!

1. Find good work samples

At the beginning of each unit, I look for worked examples to use as levelled texts on my Bump It Up Wall display. I may also write them myself if I can’t find good examples or past student work to display.

While writing them myself is more time consuming, it also gives me a deeper understanding of the task. If you have the time, give it a go. If you don’t have time to write your own samples, download some of ours.

Co-constructing is also important (and we’ll cover that later), but immersion in good quality texts is key. Showing students ‘what a good one looks like’ helps you to teach to the ‘A’ and establish high standards from the get-go!

2. Complete a pre-test and introduce the Bump It Up Wall concept to students

At the beginning of a unit, normally the end of week one, I will collect a student (pre-test) work sample from each of my students. I like to use this as a base line of where the students were at before the unit begins. However, students will need to at least be familiar with the text type or genre that they are writing to complete the pre-test.

Once the sample is created, I will introduce the bump it up wall, learning intentions, and the work samples. I deconstruct each work sample as a whole class, and we also deconstruct, annotate and analyse lots of different examples to identify success criteria and WAGOLL (What a good one looks like).

3. Introducing feedback

In week two, I mark and return each student’s pre-test sample, along with some feedback. Normally feedback is verbal and I will help them to write one thing that they can improve on a post-it note. They can refer back to it later or add it to our Learning Wall.

Then, I ask students to determine where they currently sit on the bump it up wall (which worked example best represents their current ability?). They can label themselves using tags I have created with their names on, or anonymously with a picture they have drawn (and their name on the back for my reference).

bump it up walls — Co-constructing success critieria

3. Moving through the learning cycle

Once the sample is collected and the Learning Intention, initial Success Criteria and the Bump It Up Wall are introduced, I begin teaching my unit!

Throughout the teaching and learning cycle, I reference the bump it up wall and encourage students to see how they can improve their writing. The language we use remains the same, students know where they need to go and HOW to get there – it’s powerful stuff!

We also co-construct success criteria and example texts together. Once success criteria are decided on and added to our wall, they become the foundation of our student checklist – a more robust means of giving students feedback.

Personally, I’ve also found that bump it up walls keep my teaching on track.

MUST DO: I conduct almost weekly check-ins with my students where I collect a work sample (for narratives this may be a weekly story they have written or just one paragraph such as the conclusion) and give either written or verbal feedback, with a goal slip that they keep on their desk.

Sometimes our weekly goal is a WHOLE CLASS GOAL, such as sentence boundary punctuation, and sometimes it is very individual (e.g. letter reversal). This comes down to knowing your class and individual needs.

4. Bump It Up Walls in Assessments

I often leave the entire wall up during assessments (negotiate this with your teaching team), allowing students to reference the wall if need be.

You can see how it empowers students to refer back to the wall for guidance and reinforcement during crucial evaluation moments

In Conclusion: Bump It Up Walls as Classroom Allies

In conclusion, Bump It Up Walls aren’t just decorations; they are dynamic allies in your teaching arsenal and my number 1 tool to improve student success in the classroom. It’s not just a wall; it’s a pathway to visible, engaging, and impactful learning.

-Ana

Be Amazed by Aboriginal Astronomy

Explore Aboriginal Astronomy and Dreamtime Stories with the 'Emu in the Sky' For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have looked into the Milky Way and seen the 'Emu in the Sky'. Suitable for grades 2-3 (wristbands p-3), this pack includes: Emu in the Sky Dreamtime Story and Comprehension questions/answer sheet Emu in the Sky Information Text and Comprehension questions/answer sheet 'Emu in the Sky' student wristbands - perfect for celebration and commemoration, such as NAIDOC Week.

Were Aboriginals the world’s first astronomers?

Aboriginal Astronomy is fast becoming an area that our students want to know more about. Through Dreamtime stories, Aboriginal science is becoming more mainstream, and it is our job as educators to be able to share this knowledge.

Scientists believe that Australian Aboriginal people could have been the world’s first astronomers. Aboriginal people created sundials and calendars that link the movement of the stars to seasons. They also used this aboriginal astronomy knowledge to determine when certain animals are laying eggs or ready to hunt. There is so much to learn about Aboriginal astronomy.

Aboriginal Astronomy in the Australian Curriculum

In the Australian Curriculum, an understanding of Aboriginal Astronomy is a suggested teaching elaboration. However, I found trying to find information or aboriginal astronomy stories on this topic to share with my young students was a challenge. Most information was in a news format, and still needed a teacher’s touch to make it digestible for young readers. This is such a shame because the stories are truly fascinating.

The Emu in the Sky

The Emu in the Sky is a Dreamtime story that explains how the giant emu shape came to be in the sky. In modern science, the Milky Way is the galaxy that our sun and solar system are a part of. The movement of the Milky Way has been watched over thousands of years by Aboriginal people all over Australia. Its location in the sky is linked to when emus are laying eggs when they are nesting, and when they are ready to hunt. The emu shape is created by the black clouds (not the bright constellations – as in much of Western science).

I found myself drawn into the Dreamtime story, and every snippet of information about aboriginal astronomy that I could find – my students found it equally as fascinating. It’s just a shame we are at school during the day and can’t see the emu in the sky and during lesson time.

Next time you are outside at night, see if you can find this magnificent piece of Aboriginal history and astronomy.

You can find some great videos for kids on aboriginal astronomy btn

Try some of our Aboriginal Astronomy Resources:

Chocolate-free Easter Activities Your Class Will Love!

Embrace these egg-cellent chocolate-free Easter activities! As a teacher navigating allergies, food rules, and the boundless energy of seven-year-olds, I understand the challenges. While chocolate may be the go-to treat, let’s explore some chocolate-free Easter activities that will leave your students excited and engaged.

Easter Basket Tradition

One timeless Easter activity that resonates with nostalgia is the creation of Easter baskets. The tradition lives on as students dive into the creative process. Whether using a printable template or initiating a design challenge – such as crafting a basket capable of holding five eggs – the activity becomes a delightful endeavour. Students take pride in carrying their crafted baskets home, fostering a sense of accomplishment that lasts beyond the Easter season.

Carrot Card for the Easter Bunny

Ready for another chocolate-free Easter activity? – the carrot card for the Easter Bunny. Crafted from vibrant orange paper, these cards serve as a captivating classroom display. Beyond aesthetics, students get a chance to engage with the Easter Bunny on a personal level. They can write a short note, expressing their wishes or sharing gratitude. This activity not only adds a touch of novelty but also encourages creative expression.

Easter Bunny Paper Topper

Inject an Easter theme into the learning process with the Easter Bunny paper topper. While some might question a writing task during Easter, this activity serves a dual purpose. It freshens up the genre students are working on, offering a delightful break from routine, and simultaneously contributes to broader teaching goals. The students not only produce a piece of writing they can take pride in but also experience the joy of an Easter-themed task.

Encourage students to share their creations and experiences, fostering a sense of community within the classroom. This not only enhances the Easter spirit but also creates a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

In conclusion, navigating the Easter season as a teacher involves considering various factors, from allergies to dietary restrictions. However, embracing alternatives to chocolate can open up a world of creative possibilities. The Easter activities mentioned – from crafting Easter baskets to creating carrot cards for the Easter Bunny and incorporating Easter Bunny paper toppers into writing tasks – offer a delightful way to engage students while steering clear of chocolate. Share the joy of these activities with your students, and witness the Easter spirit come alive in your classroom!

You can find a range of chocolate-free Easter activities, including my top 3, available for purchase in my shop.