Which tool best helps students develop vocabulary?

A word wall is an effective tool for helping students develop vocabulary because it creates a visual reference that students can access regularly. By displaying words in the classroom, especially high-frequency or thematic vocabulary, students are consistently exposed to these words in a prominent way. This repeated exposure aids retention and encourages students to use these words in their spoken and written language.

The interactive nature of a word wall also engages students. They can contribute to the wall by adding new words they encounter, which fosters a sense of ownership over their learning. Moreover, teachers can use the word wall as a reference during lessons, reinforcing the connection between vocabulary and their use in context, thereby deepening students’ understanding of meaning and usage.

While the other options like an author's chair, writer's workshop, and journal can support vocabulary development in specific contexts, they don't offer the same ongoing, visual reinforcement that a word wall provides. The author's chair encourages sharing and listening but doesn’t consistently showcase vocabulary. A writer's workshop focuses on the writing process, and while vocabulary may be a component, it’s not the central focus. Journals can help with vocabulary through personal reflection and writing, but they lack the communal and visual aspect that a word wall offers, which is crucial for vocabulary development in a