An overhead projector is a real asset here just as in the Writing Block. A pocket chart is necessary. Pocket chart can be made with poster board but really aren't as durable. This is well worth the small investment. Printing is a necessary expense, especially for alphabet cards for the students to manipulate during Making Words.
Some teachers try to cut corners by using the homework sheets copied on regular paper.
Kids either have to print the letters on the front and back, or if the teacher has printed the letters before copying, they must at least print the upper case letters on the back. Cutting out and handling the flimsy letters and missing the good printed letter models just doesn't compensate for the trouble of these poor substitutes. Just have the letters printed on cardstock, and they'll be good for 1-2 years. Sentence strips are used often in the Words Block as well as in the Guided Reading Block at the lower grades. Tag board and poster board can be used as substitutes but are a good deal more trouble to cut and size.