Comment on "Word Walls. Word."

In contrast to you two, my CT has a word wall, yet it is still a work in progress. As such, she references it only infrequently, so the students don't really know how or when to use it. I have had kids ask me how to spell words that are on the wall; if they were experienced users of the wall, it would seem like second nature to them to scan the word wall first before asking for help.

Rachel, my students always ask about spelling words that are in the prompt! I am tempted to point to the prompt and simply say, "See - it's right there!" Yet maybe it would be better to ask them, "Besides asking me, where might you find how to spell that word?" Of course, I am in a first/second split, so this question might be more suitable for them than for your kindergartners. This shows that how spelling strategies (e.g., the word wall) is used in a class depends on the grade level. It's no wonder that us three, being in different grade levels, have different experiences!