Any word on word drawers?

As I have been getting all the shelves in my Montessori classroom filled up, I am having a dilemma in the language area.  In my training, the alphabet was divided into three groups of letters that were "color-coded" (i.e. the "red" sounds are : r  a  m  f  b  i  t  g).  The letters are divided in a way that introduces the children to the letters in non-alphabetical order so that similar looking letters (i.e. b & d) are separated from each other as well as letters with similar sounds (i.e.  i & e).  Additionally, children are introduced to both vowels and consonants early so they can start writing and reading words even before they know the whole alphabet.  All of this is extensively supported in phonics and reading research.  I have teacher-made materials for the three colored sets of sounds that I had used in my previous Montessori classroom.  AND........I am planning to use it again.  It's in great shape (and it's already on the shelves). 

When the school I am teaching in was set up (about 20 or so years ago), "word drawer" materials were purchased for the language area.  This material consists of sets of phonetic words and pictures divided into little drawers.  The child takes out a drawer and pairs the words and pictures.  I think there are around 8-10 drawer boxes, each with 21 little drawers.  I have photographed a drawer and box below so you can see what I'm talking about.

Here is a close-up of one of the drawers.  I just noticed in the photo that the color-coding of vowels and consonants is opposite the moveable alphabet I have which has blue vowels and red consonants.  (I get hung up on these little details.)

Here is a close-up of one of several word drawer boxes.

I really like the idea of the word drawers.  I can see how children would really get a sense of accomplishment to work "through the drawers".  Additionally, I like how they would have lots of practice to work on decoding skills.  So......I would like to use the drawers in some capacity.  Because the cards are old and have been used repeatedly, they are a little beat up.  I am thinking of re-doing them completely, and I know what a huge task this would be.  I did a Google search yesterday and didn't come across a source for purchasing cards like this.  The only lead I found was a company called C & D Woods Books, but their website is defunct or defective, or something.

So.............my question is this...........does anyone know of someone who is making these already?  Is anyone out there using something like this?  Do most of you Montessorians (teachers and homeschoolers) just use the pink, blue and green series for phonics?  Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.   

Comments

[johanna pieterse]

Thanks for sharing your materials with us, I am a montessori student in South Africa.Montessori is new to me and I need all advice available. at MoNTESSORI materials are very expensive here, but I've learn to make my own. Thanks again.
JP

[Maria DeVeyra]

montessori matters makes those. You can find thier online catalog, just search montessori matters. I would love to download your pink series if you have that available. Thank you.

[Amber]

Try doing a search on ebay for Montessori Materials, I have seen some word and picture matching activities, not sure if they are color coded like you want, but it's worth looking into. Good luck!

[Michelle]

I use the pink, blue and green series even though my training didn't cover it. I just like how they're organized. Although I really like those little boxes. I think you could order them, but I doubt they would fit into those drawers. The color issue would bug me too!