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Teacher: Jill Bucks who teaches at Palmyra Area School District in Palmyra, PA.
Name of Best Practice: PE Word Wall
Rationale/Purpose of Event: To help reinforce the learning of particular terms that are specific to a particular activity we are doing in the physical education classroom.
Suggested Grade Level: 6-8
Materials Needed: Poster board, construction paper, Ellison letter machine or similar source of letters, computer word processing capability and a source of graphics such as Art Explosion.
PE Word Wall
Since I don't have space for a bulletin board, I taped together 1 and 1/2 sheets of poster board paper until it covered an entire wall (22W x 42L). I then applied die cut letters to label it "PE Word Wall" and laminated the entire "wall". This stays on the wall continuously throughout the year. I change the list of 8-10 words (could be fitness related, or any rule or term relating to the specific activity) and their definitions with each activity or unit. I use a colorful and interesting graphic along with the word and it's definition. These are printed out and cut into strips and glued onto a colorful construction paper background. This is also laminated so that I can use it from year to year. I attach it to the "wall" with double-faced tape. At the bottom, I cite any resource books I may have used in preparing the the wall. At an appropriate time in the unit, we discuss the terms as a class. Although we still use study guides, the word wall has helped students make a better connection with what we are doing. Best of all, they enjoy it! I have had many positive comments from my students. The "wall" is strategically placed at the area where they line up to leave, thus increasing their exposure to the words.
Variations:
I have also used this at the Elementary and HS level by changing the difficulty of the words. Elementary PE teachers may choose to follow formats used in the classrooms of their school.
Teaching Suggestions/Tips:
I always put the wall up at the beginning of the unit, but I vary when I officially present the terms. It's fun to watch them learn on their own and show interest in new words or meanings.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities:
The "wall" can help students who have difficulty in hearing, who are visual learners or who have difficulty in interpreting what is said during a lesson. They can match a word to what they have heard and can connect the spelling, sound and meaning more readily.
(Any Practice receiving 5 Votes earns Blue Ribbon Status on PEC)
Posted on PEC: 6/2/2005 and has received 82 votes.
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