First I covered the whole poster with 2 inch wide cellotape, both front and back, then cut it up. I kind of laminated it the cheap way. These cards worked wonders, the kids were focused and we could play games with the cards. 

Now I have upgraded to a set of cards and a set of sandpaper letters, and when teaching phonic sounds I need them. When I am introducing new words and the student cannot say the word I will pull out the cards and sandpaper letters to make up the sounds of the new word. This way the kid can read the sounds of the cards and work out where the sounds match on the new word. 

When teaching new words always explain what the word is. 

Picture cards and posters are very good. One of the main drawbacks with teaching reading with the phonics system, is the children can learn how to read but they don’t understand what they are reading. You must always explain the meanings of the new words.