SnapWords® 306 Student Kit
Product Information
Addressing the diverse needs of your students and guiding them to their fullest potential is indeed a significant challenge. Independent and hands-on activities that reinforce your teachings play a crucial role in achieving this goal. However, it's not always feasible for students to access your primary teaching materials. The SnapWords® Student Kits provide a practical solution by offering robustly laminated, student-sized versions of your teaching cards. This ensures that your essential tools remain at your disposal while students have their dedicated resources to support their learning journey.
One highly effective strategy for unlocking the full reading potential of every student in your classroom is to structure your reading block to incorporate an independent SnapWords® Center, complementing small group instruction by the teacher. Although it may seem counterintuitive to allow students to practice independently with their partners, the reality is that students often exceed expectations when given the freedom to work collaboratively and progress at their own pace. Begin with SnapWords® Teaching Cards for initial instruction, and then establish a year-long independent center to provide students with ongoing opportunities for practice and growth.
SnapWords® Student Kits are only available in physical format:
- Laminated pocket size cards measuring 4.25” x 2.75”
SnapWords® Student Kits serve as the ideal companion for independent, hands-on learning.
Pre-Assessment
- At the start of each academic year, conduct a pre-assessment to gauge your students' familiarity with sight words. Group them based on their skill levels and, within these groups, pair each child with a partner.
Independent Center
- Whole Class Instruction
Begin with comprehensive whole-class instruction of SnapWords® and their accompanying mini-lessons. - Level Organization
SnapWords® lists are structured into five levels, each indicated by a colored, numbered dot in the corner of each card. Separate the lists into their respective levels and place them on book rings. Store these rings in bins at the center of the table. - Independent Retrieval
Students can independently retrieve their assigned level of SnapWords® from the organized bins. This encourages self-directed learning. - Partner Practice
Student pairs take turns testing each other on their SnapWords® lists, fostering collaborative learning. - Contextual Reading
Upon completion of a SnapWords® list, partners practice reading the words in context using Sight Words in Sentences. The Toobaloo® phone devices aid students in turn-taking, attention, and allow the teacher to monitor participation.
This structured approach ensures students progress through SnapWords® levels independently, reinforcing their sight word acquisition and providing opportunities for collaborative learning and contextual application.
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!
Resource Links
What's Included
- The 306 SnapWords® Student Kit includes Lists A, B, C, D, E, and Numbers, Colors, Days, Months, & Seasons:
342 Pocket Chart cards featuring heavy lamination and hole-punched - 6 metal book rings to secure cards
- 3 copies of Sight Words in Sentences
- 3 orange Toobaloo® phone devices
Image Gallery
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Try Before You Buy!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.