What is a learning wall?
Learning Walls are visual classroom displays that center around a LEARNING INTENTION and include elements such as text scaffolds, word walls, and bump-it-up walls.
They support students on their learning journey, becoming a reference point for them as they work towards knowledge, understanding, and application of skills. Anything that builds on your students’ knowledge as they work towards their LEARNING INTENTION can be included. The wall is not linear like a Bump It Up Wall – it grows in any direction, depending on your students’ needs.
Why do I need a learning wall?
- Learning walls simplify your teaching because you focus on the ‘big rocks’ – what is really important
- Your students will know exactly HOW to improve and demonstrate a task’s success criteria
- When used with a check-in/feedback cycle, student progress is accelerated
- Your principal or leadership team is probably starting to expect that you are using learning walls in your classroom
So how can you improve your student results, and impress your leadership team?
Get a learning wall happening in your classroom ASAP! I know this feels like another thing you have to do, but trust me you’re already doing the work. A learning wall is the final piece of the puzzle that will help you to be more effective, and even make you look good (if that’s what you need in your classroom right now!).
I believe that being an effective teacher should feel AWESOME, not overwhelming.
So to help you out, here’s my mini-guide to begin using learning walls in your classroom:
- Start off with a large wall space in your classroom that is visible from every student’s desk, and easy for you to access during lesson time.
- Make sure you include learning intentions and co-created success criteria, marking guides/rubrics so that students know how they are being assessed, modeled responses, and word/vocabulary walls.
- You can also include a means for students to self and peer assess. This may be a personal tag that they can move to mark their learning journey.
- Your walls should be co-created with students. Through the course of your lessons, students can contribute to success criteria, anchor charts, goals, and other parts of your display. The greater ownership they feel over the wall, the better!
- Want to know more? Grab a copy of my Teacher Guidebook.
Can learning walls still be themed and complement classroom décor?
Yes, of course. In fact, you can still share your teaching personality AND co-construct a learning wall with your students.
Check out my different décor options here – your learning wall DOES NOT have to be boring!
Your learning wall should show your students’ learning journey and be an amazing artifact at the end of your unit of work. How it looks at the end is completely up to you and your students!
Let me know how you go – I’d love to hear how you implement learning walls in your classroom!
P.S You can also find my learning wall kits in the Teachie Tings Shop!
