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Teacher Download
Teacher Download
Teacher Download
Teacher
Teacher Download
Teacher Download
Teacher Download

SnapWords® Global Expansion

Format

Teacher
Physical cards measuring 5.5" x 4.25"

Pocket
Physical cards measuring 4.25" x 2.75"

Download
Printable PDF files of both teacher and pocket size cards

 Price
Save $ -15
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Description
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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® Global Expansion Cards are available in three formats:

  • Teacher - physical cards measuring 5.5" x 4.25"
  • Pocket - physical cards measuring 4.25" x 2.75"
  • Download - printable PDF files of both teacher and pocket size cards

How it Works

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.

What’s Included 

·        Global Expansion Cards include 26 alternative words from various SnapWords® lists, covering:
Climate Changes for Southern Hemisphere, Spelling Variations, & Other Features for Global Relevance

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.

We intentionally avoid labeling our resources with specific grade levels or ages to place the emphasis on each child's unique abilities. While the skills covered typically span from kindergarten to third grade, individuals of various ages have found success with our materials.

Right-brain learners possess distinct characteristics that distinguish them from their left-brain counterparts. These characteristics pertain to their information intake, processing methods, and preferred memory strategies. When we discuss right-brain learning, we are essentially describing the way they naturally absorb, process, and retain information. Right-brain dominant learning, often associated with the right hemisphere of the brain, refers to a learning style that emphasizes creative and holistic approaches to understanding and retaining information. Strategies that are highly effective include multisensory materials, visuals, stories, movement, and hands-on activities.
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