In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Wordwall and discussed how to apply the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to use it in instruction. Today’s post provides detailed instructions for using this resource and offers classroom implementation ideas that cater to all students.
In case you missed it, Wordwall gives you an easy way to transform your lessons into interactive games in minutes. This resource offers 12 free game templates—including Quiz, Match-Up, Spin the Wheel, and Flashcards—as well as several ready-to-use activities contributed by teachers worldwide. What makes Wordwall powerful is its flexibility: you can switch between activity formats with just one click, so your content instantly becomes a quiz, game show, or review activity that you can share via a URL or embed on a website. Students don’t need accounts, and you can track their progress and completed activities on any device.
Getting Started with Wordwall:
Visit wordwall.net and sign up for a free teacher account.
This site truly is as simple as 1-2-3, and you can create a game in less than five minutes (or use a ready-to-go activity in the Community). Select your template, enter your content, and begin your activity! Printing is not available with the free account, but you can share a link to your activity or embed it on a website.
Wordwall is a massive time-saver for teachers. The free version has some limitations, but it’s still a fabulous tool.
The free version includes 12 options for templates: Match Up, Quiz, Flash Cards, Spin the Wheel, Speaking Cards, Group Sort, Find the Match, Complete the Sentence, Anagram, Unjumble, Open the Box, and Matching Pairs. You can read a brief description of each template below.
The free account includes three original projects (also called resources in the platform) that use these templates, but there is no limit to the number of ready-to-go activities you can use. When you use one of your resources, the site will tell you how many remain. You do have the option to delete a resource to increase your total available resources back to three.
Here is a brief comparison of the plans. This blog post focuses only on the features available in the free plan.
If you’re looking to create projects in different languages for world language classes or multilingual students, this site is available in more than 40 different languages!
Adding your content is very simple. The information you put in may vary slightly based on the template you select. This template (Match Up) asks you to provide a keyword and a matching definition. For Anagram, however, you may just have to provide the words. Notice the buttons for adding images and audio within each of the keyword boxes.
Now that we have input the content, let’s look at creating an activity. Notice the options when you right-click on the three dots next to your content. They include Open in a New Tab, Share, Set Assignment, Edit Content, Delete, and Embed.
If you choose the Set Assignment option, there are a few simple steps to follow, including choosing how students will register (they can enter their name, play anonymously, or play on Google Classroom). You also have the option to set a deadline and decide what happens at the end of the game. Then, you’re ready to play!
Here is an example of a finished resource. Take notice of the Switch Template option on the right side. This allows you to switch to a different game template with one click, providing an easy way to practice the same content in various formats. There’s also a button in the top right corner that changes the language. This feature is excellent for individual students who struggle with English, as you can give them the option to play in their native language.
The following image shows a game in action. Students can view the game in full screen and use the volume button to lower the volume or mute the game if earbuds aren’t available.
Click the Community button to view a variety of free ready-to-go activities that don’t count toward your three free resources.
The free plan doesn’t allow you to search the Community in the tool, but you can get around the limitation with a simple Google search. Just type in the topic and wordwall.net as shown below and hit enter.
Google will provide results that you can click to see all of the Community resources on that topic. For example, searching “Cells wordwall.net” produced 198 results (all free to use!).
Now that you have your activity, you’re ready to share it with your students. You can play live and project it on your classroom screen for whole-class participation or send a link for students to complete on their own (in or outside of class).
Classroom Implementation Ideas:
Whether you’re a tech-savvy educator or just beginning your digital teaching journey, Wordwall offers an accessible entry point that can grow with your skills and your students’ needs. Start simple, experiment often, and watch as your students’ engagement soar and learning outcomes improve. You can create your own or use Google to browse the vast library of over 30 million pre-made resources. If you find one you like, you can play it, share it, or even edit it to fit your specific needs. By incorporating Wordwall into your teaching, you can save time on lesson planning, boost student engagement, and create a more dynamic and effective learning environment.
Below, you’ll find 20+ ideas for using Wordwall in your lessons in all grade levels.
Elementary School
- Vocabulary Building: Create word-picture matching games for new vocabulary using the Find the Match template.
- Phonics Practice: Use the Quiz template for sound recognition and phonics practice.
- Math Fact Fluency: Design quick-fire addition or subtraction wheels using Spin the Wheel.
- Story Sequencing: Create Match Up activities for story events.
- Sight Word Practice: Build anagrams with weekly sight words.
- Spelling Practice: Use the Unjumble template to help students practice and reinforce spelling words.
- Grammar Review: Design a quiz with questions about parts of speech or sentence structure.
- Science Classification: Build a Group Sort activity where students drag and drop animals, elements, or plants into the correct categories.
Middle School
- Test Review: Transform study guides into a quiz.
- Science Classification: Create activities where you sort objects into types of organisms, rock types, or states of matter using Group Sort.
- Historical Timeline: Create matching activities that connect dates with historical events.
- Language Arts: Use any of the templates to build grammar games for parts of speech practice.
- Math Concepts: Use the Unjumble template to design games for equation-solving practice.
- Story Elements: Create a Matching Pairs game where students pair literary terms (e.g., protagonist, setting) with their definitions.
- Character Analysis: Create a Matching Pairs game where students pair a character’s name with their key traits or actions from a story.
High School
- AP/Test Prep: Create comprehensive quiz activities for standardized test practice.
- World Language: Facilitate conversation practice with random wheel prompts using the Spin the Wheel Template.
- Literature Analysis: Design matching activities for character traits, themes, or literary devices using Matching Pairs.
- STEM Challenges: Create problem-solving activities with immediate feedback using the Flashcards template.
- Bell Ringers/Exit Tickets: Use any of the templates to create a quick, one-question activity you can use at the beginning or end of class to gauge prior knowledge or wrap up a lesson.
- Debate Topics: Use the Spin the Wheel Template with debate topics or speaking prompts to start class discussions.
Cross-Curricular Ideas/Any Grade
- Stations/Centers: Create different Wordwall activities for rotation stations. Students rotate through stations, working at their appropriate challenge level while you pull small groups for targeted instruction.
- Early Finishers: Assign extension activities for students who complete work early.
- Homework Options: Assign a Wordwall activity as a self-paced homework assignment, then track student progress through the results page.
- Parent Engagement: Share activity links so families can practice concepts at home.
- Collaborative Review: Project a Spin the Wheel game on the projector or whiteboard and have students take turns answering questions as a class.
- Sub Plans: Leave a premade Wordwall activity for your substitute teacher so they can guide students through review or practice. Share links or class codes so your students stay on task with meaningful learning rather than busywork when you’re absent.
- Pre-Assessment: Use the Quiz template before a unit to gauge students’ prior knowledge.
- Brain Breaks: Use a fun, low-stakes template like Anagram with a mix of easy words to give students a quick mental break.
- Celebrations/Rewards: Use Spin the Wheel to select students for privileges, choose which review game to play, or determine rewards for good behavior. The element of chance keeps things exciting while maintaining fairness through random selection.
Pro Tip: Remember that you can switch templates any time without re-entering content. Create your material once, then adapt the format to match different instructional purposes throughout your unit!
Additional Video Tutorials and Articles:
- TeachersFirst Review: Wordwall
- Video: “Wordwall Tutorial 2025 – Full Training”
- Video: “Gamify Your Classroom For FREE with Wordwall.net”
Have you used Wordwall in your lessons? Share your activities and implementation ideas in the comments below!