Are you tired of students swarming around you during writing time? Are you constantly hearing, “Can you help me spell…?” Do you need your students to be more independent during writing time?

Follow these easy steps to learn how to create personal word wall folders that your students can use successfully during writing workshop.

How To Make Word Wall Folders

1. Fill in the Sight Words

2. Add Student’s Names

3. Add Places Around the Community

4. Personalize the Cover

5. Assemble to Use Year After Year

1. Fill in Your Sight Words

I created a word wall template that I use to fill in the list of sight words that my district provides.

You can use the list of words that have already been prefilled or you may prefer to use the blank template to insert Fry’s or Dolch sight words.

I love using personal word walls because you can easily differentiate the folders for varying learners. You can even create different folders for different writing or reading groups.

2. Add Student’s Names

Personalize writing time by adding your student’s names to their word wall.

My students love having the names of their friends at their fingertips. They are able to write about different activities that they do with their friends more independently.

3. Add Places Around the Community

Our students are active members in our communities.

Work with your students to create a list of the places that they like to visit.

Add the places to their word walls.

Your students will feel encouraged to write about familiar topics when they are reminded of all the places that they visit.

4. Personalize the Cover

Type the names of each student for the cover of their folders.

You can also type the names of your reading or writing groups to help keep your resources organized during small group instruction.

You can choose a cover for each student or have them pick their own cover.

5. Assemble Your Word Wall

When you have personalized your student’s word walls, you’re ready to print and assemble.

Print each page of the word wall and glue.

You can laminate each folder to use year after year.

Get ready to see your students engaged and thriving during writing workshop. You will wonder why it took you so long to use personal student word walls.