What is the primary purpose of a word wall in a classroom?

The primary purpose of a word wall in a classroom is to provide visual references for reading and writing skills. A word wall is typically comprised of high-frequency words, vocabulary related to current themes, or words that are particularly relevant to the students' learning experiences. By displaying these words prominently, teachers help students recognize them in both their reading and writing, thus supporting vocabulary development and improving literacy skills.

This visual tool also facilitates word retrieval as students become more familiar with the words, encouraging them to use these terms in their writing and dialogue, which reinforces their learning. The consistent exposure to these words helps students internalize their meanings and uses, making it an effective strategy in emergent literacy.