Graffiti Wall for Kids: Idea #110

A graffiti wall is a common method used in teaching to get students to express their concerns and opinions. Students don't literally write on the wall, but there are posters set up around the classroom where students can share their views on certain topics. For example, there might be one poster entitled 'Dress code' and another poster 'Field trips' and so on. Students then have the opportunity to walk around to all of the posters and write ideas and feelings they have about the topic. It is a great way for kids to express their emotions freely.

Since this blog focuses on younger children learning how to read, I have come up with a simpler way of doing a graffiti wall to meet their needs. Here is what you do:

1. Get 5 poster boards (you can also use butcher paper). On each board write a different letter at the top. For example, you might write the letter A on one board and the letter S on another board.

2. Hang up the 5 posters around the classroom.

3. Give each student a marker (or several markers) to write with. 

4. Students are to walk around to the different posters writing words they know that begin with each letter. For example, at the A poster, one student could write: a, at, an, and, am, are, etc. As another student walks by the poster, he/she may add to the list: as. They can write the word however they would like: fancy, big, tiny, etc. Just like an actual graffiti wall.

5. Every student must go to every poster writing words they can read/spell. Once they have written on each poster have them sit down.

6. When the students are finished, take down the posters. Read the words written on each poster together, as a class for extra practice.

Kids will enjoy writing on walls and using markers. Have fun seeing what your student knows.