A couple of days ago (before multiple power outages from storms moving through), I blogged about how I teach and assess sight words.  I have added to this FREEBIE and you can redownload if you already grabbed it.  This assessment is used during the quarter as we work toward having all words mastered.  The final assessment with all words is still given with ESGI.  If you don’t have ESGI in your school, especially in the early grades, you could

 be saving loads of assessment time! Check it out!

Today, I want to explain how I put my binder together so it’s ready to grab in a flash and assess students who are ready.  The first thing I do is select Astrobrights colors I want to make the pockets out of!  These are the most colorful papers on the market, and are my favorite!!! 

After selecting four colors, I fold the papers as in the photos below, then laminate the folded pieces (one to a laminating pocket) leaving a margin of film around all edges (this will help the pockets stay sealed when cards are inserted). 

 After all pieces are laminated, I trim the edges making sure to leave margins, then use a razor blade to slit the opening of the pocket.  Then I fold the top down again like an envelope flap.  

I place the pockets one above the other on the inside of the left binder cover with hot glue or velcro dots, and also put a velcro dot for a closure under the flap.  As you can see below, I have placed the cards in the pockets and have labeled the pockets to go along with my Journeys sight word lists.  Cards have the same letter on them too.  This helps me to organize my sets.  I placed the pockets higher on the page so I could use the built in pocket in the binder cover.  Thats all the prep needed for the card set storage!

Note:  I have binders with library pockets, but find the edges of the pockets tear after not much use–even laminated pockets.  I find the folded, laminated paper works best for me.

 Inside the page protectors are…

 Copies of the whole class summary for tracking progress will be hole punched and placed in front of each assessment check sheet section of the binder along with a master copy in a sheet protector.

 Students use the refrigerator sheet for studying at home.  When they are ready to test over a list, they bring it back in their take home folder with the character below the list colored.  I test them up to three times a week using the assessment sheet and mix the order of the word cards each time to ensure they are truly learning the words.  The assessment sheet goes home with students to show when they have passed a test, and it is brought back along with the study sheet each time students want to try a list.  The assessment sheet will remain in the folder until all words are passed with 100% accuracy.

This method worked very well for our kindergarten team last year, and I will again give credit to my team member, Cassie, for dividing the words into manageable lists! 🙂 

Other products sent home in our take home folder relating to word work and the beginning of the year are our alphabet chartlets.  Students are tested over alphabet during guided groups until mastered.  If you would like to see our chartlet and alphabet line sets, you can find them in my store :).

I love to cut the chartlets into sets to store in zipper seal bags for small group time.  As students learn the letters, we add them to a letters snap ring.  Unknown letters remain loose in the bag until they are learned.  When the entire ring is full of all 26 letters, students get a prize!

I hope this post has been helpful! Be sure to check other Word Work Wednesday Linky blogs to see great ideas from my bloggy friends!