SnapWords® 306 Kit
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Embark on a transformative journey into literacy with the SnapWords® 306 Kit, a dynamic compilation that equips you with all the essential tools to teach the first six lists of SnapWords®: A-Numbers, Colors. This comprehensive kit is a gateway to language mastery, providing engaging teaching cards, versatile resources, and a structured approach to empower educators and captivate learners. Dive into the enchanting world of high-frequency words, where vibrant visuals, kinesthetic activities, and innovative teaching methods converge to make learning an exhilarating experience. Ignite the spark of literacy and set the stage for a successful reading adventure with the SnapWords® 306 Kit!
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SnapWords® encompass over 640 words that frequently appear in children's texts, making them an ideal starting point for early reading education. Unlike cueing systems that encourage guessing, SnapWords® provide instant recognition of words, reinforcing visual memory and aiding right-brain-dominant learners who think in pictures.
The images associated with SnapWords® not only link letters in the correct order but also convey the meaning of the word, facilitating a quick understanding. This visual memory, established at a glance, lays the foundation for breaking down words into phonics concepts.
The inclusion of body motion in SnapWords® aligns closely with the word and its meaning, proving crucial for kinesthetic learners who rely on body memory. Developed in response to the needs of visual and kinesthetic learners in the late 1990s, SnapWords® address the struggle these learners face in comprehending phonics concepts. The accompanying SnapWords® Mini-Lessons download offers comprehensive instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, orthographic mapping, instant word recognition, spelling, writing, comprehension, and fluency.
SnapWords® accommodate the three primary learning modalities—visual, kinesthetic, and auditory.
SnapWords® Kits are available in four formats:
- Teacher - physical cards measuring 5.5" x 4.25", and physical copies of the instructional books
- Pocket - physical cards measuring 4.25" x 2.75", and physical copies of the instructional books
- Download - printable PDF files of both teacher and pocket size cards, as well as printable PDF files of the instructional books
- Slideshows - include both Google Slides and PowerPoint formats with audio, and printable PDF files of the instructional books
SnapWords® employs a comprehensive approach by combining the cards with the Mini-Lessons, which begin by identifying the word, crucial for visual learners, and incorporate body motion to engage kinesthetic learners. The subsequent sections focus on the target phonics concept and spelling pattern, immediately applying this knowledge to decode other words sharing the same pattern. The visual, the body motion, and the spoken aspect of SnapWords® combine to target several regions in the brain, making for a rich learning experience.
SnapWords® are crafted to enable new and struggling readers to grasp the entire word and its meaning with the immediacy of capturing an image with a camera. Leveraging the rapid processing of the visual cortex, SnapWords® embeds visuals in the material, ensuring that what students need to learn and remember is swiftly transmitted to their minds. When employing SnapWords®, the image within the word promptly communicates the word's meaning to the child.
For many struggling readers, the reading process can seem tedious, leading them to focus solely on deciphering words rather than recognizing that words convey a story or meaning. SnapWords® colorful images not only illustrate a mini story but also feature sentences on the reverse side, elaborating on the word picture.
SnapWords® prove invaluable for restless children who struggle to sit still for more than a nanosecond! The moment they glimpse the card, it's a swift capture — "Blink!" and they've got it. Maximize the magnetic quality of SnapWords® by incorporating them into the games featured in SnapWords® Mini-Lessons. This strategic blend of movement and learning not only enhances comprehension but also fulfills the essential requirement for kinesthetic learners.
To facilitate a seamless transition from the picture side to the plain word, SnapWords® includes a plain font version on the reverse side. Given that visual learning involves the brain quickly storing a mental image, children typically require minimal exposure to the stylized word, often achieving mastery with just one to three exposures.
Continuing with your SnapWords® journey, complement it with the additional download of Sight Words in Sentences. This resource facilitates practice reading SnapWords® within the context of sentences, offering assessment tools, and writing prompts to further enhance the learning experience.
For an enriched learning experience, consider pairing with these other great Child1st resources for an engaging multisensory learning experience!
For additional insights and related topics, explore these recommended articles for a deeper understanding and further exploration!
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What's Included
- The 306 SnapWords® Kit includes Lists A, B, C, D, E, and Numbers, Colors, Days, Months, & Seasons: 342 SnapWords® cards
- SnapWords® Mini-Lessons 1
- Sight Words in Sentences
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are sight words important?
Sight words are critical in early literacy because they make up 80-90% of the words children encounter in text, and recognizing them instantly greatly simplifies reading, improving fluency and comprehension. These high-frequency words, such as "the" and "and," enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence, laying the foundation for more advanced literacy skills, reducing cognitive load, and supporting performance on standardized tests and overall language development. In a nutshell, mastering sight words is essential for building strong reading skills in children.
What are SnapWords®?
SnapWords® are designed to cater to diverse learning styles, particularly accommodating visual learners who benefit from associating words with images, seeing the whole word before delving into details like phonics, spelling, and decoding. This approach begins with presenting the entire word, allowing learners to establish a visual memory of the word's form before exploring spelling patterns and phonics rules, ultimately empowering them to tackle more complex, unfamiliar words. While sequential methods typically start with teaching details before introducing the whole word, SnapWords® recognize that right-brain dominant learners thrive by grasping words and phonics holistically.
For individuals with a left-brain dominant learning style, who think in words and handle abstractions adeptly, the images on the front of the cards may appear redundant or distracting. The unadorned word on the back may align better with their preferences. However, for right-brained visual learners, the inclusion of images is indispensable. These images enable them to create a mental picture and store the entire word in visual memory, matching their cognitive style. This image then serves as a recall anchor, even when they encounter the plain word. If asked how they remember the word while reading, they will often attribute it to the image stored in their visual memory.
SnapWords® take a comprehensive approach by incorporating body motion to engage kinesthetic learners, activating body memory. Additionally, the inclusion of sentences aids in comprehending and using words correctly within the context of sentences. This multifaceted method ensures that SnapWords® address various learning preferences and provide a holistic learning experience.
Which SnapWords® list should I start with?
When introducing sight words to your child, the appropriate starting point depends on their familiarity with these words. If your child is a beginner, commence with List A. However, if your child has some prior exposure to sight words, it's essential to assess their knowledge. Begin with List A and have them read the words aloud. They should be able to recognize and read these words quickly, without the need to sound them out. If your child successfully reads all the words in the list, advance to the next list and repeat the evaluation process. In cases where your child encounters words they need to sound out, it's advisable to commence with that specific list. Initiating with a list that contains words they already know provides a confidence boost and helps them transition to this new approach to learning.
What is the difference between Teaching Cards and Pocket Chart Cards?
The Teaching Cards come in a convenient size of 5.5" in width and 4.25" in height, making them perfect for group instruction. If you prefer a more compact option, the Pocket Chart Size Cards are half the dimensions, measuring 4.25" in width and 2.75" in height. These smaller cards are excellent for small group activities and independent practice, offering flexibility in how you use the materials.
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I absolutely love child first snap word cards. They teach sight words with the use of pictures, actions, and sayings. My daughter, who is six, is finally progressing in her reading. She has autism and has struggled with the whole reading concept. She loves these cards, and that says a lot! My five-year-old and three-year-old also join her in learning the cards and are remembering their sight words quite well. My niece, who we think might have dislexia, is also really loving the cards and the added confidence they are bringing her. I used to be an elementary teacher and have tutored reading from home since being a stay home mom. I have used the same strategies (pictures, sayings,actions) in teaching phonograms to students and it has worked well over the years.However, Ive never had anything special for teaching sight words other than just review and memorize. Until now, thanks to Child 1st.
I am an education specialst/Resource specialist teacher.
I teach kids with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Auditory processing, and Visual processing among others.
The kids were hesitant at first and now, as soon as I bring the cards out, the kids start doing the movements.
Some kids like to make up their own movements to go with words.
So much more fun and memerable than black and white flash cards or word lists.
I used to have a very hard time getting kids motivated to read sight words but now they love it!
I just purchased the Snap Words kit after trying the free preview! I teach an intensive direct services class and had one particular student in mind that had been struggling for quite some time. After using the free preview he had learned 6 of the words very easily and was retaining the information after a week! I received the kit yesterday and am very excited to dive in with not only him but my entire class!!
My daughter was really struggling with reading. She has a learning disability and was on a Kindergarten level in 3rd grade. We tried the free set first and I couldn't believe how quickly she picked up on the words. I figured it was a fluke but then couldn't believe it the next day when she remembered ALL of the words! I bought this set and I feel it is well worth the $$$. She is reading sight words all around and this has snowballed into her daily reading. She started picking up books and reading me pages... something she would never have done before. It's like snapwords made something in her mind click with reading. We still have a ways to go but I am so grateful snapwords are here to help us :o)
Daniele, thanks so much for your kind words! Sending best wishes to all your lucky kiddos!
Thanks Mildred! We agree! Display these in pocket charts and kids learn while you aren't looking!
We are loving these cards!!! We have tried so hard with other sight word list and flash cards with my kiddos before but nothing would get the words to stick until we found these cards. They were game changers for us!