NONE OF THE MATERIALS COME LAMINATED

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

You will probably want to glance at this section then come back to it if you decide you want to use the Verb Wall. To be honest, this section is somewhat boring unless you are already committed to the idea and are ready to put it all together. It might be a good idea to just skim through and open the links to see some of the materials.

In the photo of the BASIC VERB WALL  you can see that this Verb Wall is divided in sections.  The individual sheets were laminated onto the black paper; then the sections were put together.  Because I have to travel to different locations to present workshops, I laminated my Verb Wall like this so that it can be easily taken apart and assembled.  This is NOT NECESSARY for your classroom display.  

As I explain the assembly of these materials in writing and with photos, please remember that a “live” workshop is far superior.  In our “LIVE” workshops that we offer for school districts, education service centers and professional organizations, we explain the Verb Wall and its uses during the first three-hour session.  Then, with all of the necessary materials provided, we have a “make-it and take-it” session for the second part of the day.  That is a much more pleasant way to become familiar with the Verb Wall, but I will do my best in this Virtual Workshop.  If you are interested in a “live” workshop for your group, contact me for more information.

In order to express a grammar concept visually, sometimes two or three colors were needed on one sheet.  To achieve this effect, my options were

(1) to print in color or

(2) to ask the teacher to do some cutting and pasting. 

In order to keep the printing cost reasonable, I chose the second option.

CONTENTS:

Student handout masters

8 pronoun visuals

Pronoun cards (2 sets)

Sheets to form the Basic Verb Wall

Supplemental sheets

Verb Form Sheets (8 regular verbs and 88 irregular verbs)

ASSEMBLY:

SUPPLIES (Photo):    

Scissors, glue stick, and a permanent black marker.

Two file folders and two file jackets (like a folder, but the sides are closed)

(or you can staple two file folders on the sides to make jackets)

5 small envelopes.  In the photo you see the letter size;  “invitation” size is best

24 “coin” envelopes.  These are open-ended and measure 3 1/8 in. x 5 1/2 in. 

(regular top opening small envelopes will work, but the open ended are better)

12 feet of 48” wide black bulletin board paper (not laminated).  To be used as:

            One 4’x7’ piece for the basic wall display

            Two 13” x 48” pieces for mounting the pronoun visuals

            Five 12” x 21” pieces for making pronoun charts

 (There is a 48” wide black paper sold in most teacher supply stores.  If you can only get the 36” kind, you will just have to patch on the additional foot, so calculate that you will need at least 16 feet.)

Two 4’ lengths of cash register tape (the school office might have some)

hot glue gun or some other method of sticking the paper to the wall

To save the time and trouble involved in shopping for these supplies:

I will provide you with the 2 file folders, 2 file jackets, 5 invitation size envelopes and 24 coin envelopes for only $10 in addition to the regular price of the Verb Wall.  Add $2 for S&H if you did not order these at the same time you ordered the Verb Wall.

►►Label the two file folders “Verb Wall Supplements” and “Verb Wall Student Handouts.”  (Be careful NOT to laminate the student handout master copies.  These are the ones that have the charts in reduced size.  In fact, run extra file copies to be certain you never lose these.  Students should color-code their copies and keep a Verb Booklet or Verb Folder.)

►►Label the two file jackets:  “Pronouns” and “Verb Forms”

►►Label the 5 pronoun envelopes:  (1) subjects (2) objects (3) possessive adjectives (4) possessive pronouns (5) reflexives.  The pronouns come printed on the appropriate color.  After laminating one set of the pronoun sheets, cut on the indicated lines and sort the pronoun cards according to their usage.   File them in the jacket labeled “Pronouns.”  Cut the other set of pronoun sheets into cards to make pronoun charts like those shown in the VWVW, then laminate them so they can be put up easily as needed. 

►►Labels are provided for the 24 “verb form” envelopes.  Four verbs are filed in each envelope, for a total of 96 verbs.   The verb forms come printed on the appropriate color. After laminating the verb form sheets, cut on the indicated lines and sort the verb form cards. Sort them in order by verb and group them in sets of the four verbs according to the list on the label of each envelope.   (Orange forms are given only if the he, she, it  form is NOT formed by simply adding an –S. )

►►Before starting with the cutting and pasting, look at both the white and gray sheets that have the “be” verb ripping away from the “regular” formation.  The “ripping away” line needs to be filled in with the black marker the rest of the way to the edge of the paper.  (This happens because copiers do not print less than ¼ inch from the edge.)   Check all the heavy black areas.  No matter how clear and perfect the masters are, sometimes there will be an area that is not quite filled in.   If it is a real flaw, notify me, and I will send a replacement sheet.

►►There are several sheets that have cutting lines with no further directions given.  These should just be cut as indicated before laminating.  There are several more sheets that will need to be cut and pasted.  They have comments such as “trim the orange rectangle with the “S” and attach it to the white sheet as indicated.”  On the sheet where you are to attach it, there is a note “attach orange S.”  Throughout the kit, you will be told “trim…out” and “attach…here.” 

Wait to laminate these sheets until after you have pasted the smaller pieces in place.

►►Find an area that allows you to put up the basic display (4x7 feet) and still provides you at least one foot on each side and one foot above for the supplements.   (Not all of the sheets are displayed at the same time; some are filed and pulled out as needed.) If you think you do not have a large enough area, you will have to be creative. For example, you might have to separate the tenses and put the future off somewhere by itself.  You might have to use cabinet doors, arranging the tenses so they allow the doors to open.  You might even have to put the VW out in the hall.  This will require “field trips” when things come up that need to be explained.  The Pronoun Color-Code should be separate from the basic VW and is not included in this space.

►►Place the 7 foot length of 48 inch wide paper on the wall.  If you have a large bulletin board or the type of wall that accepts staples, you are in luck.  For other walls, I use a hot glue gun available in such places as the crafts section of Walmart for about $10.  The hot glue attaches things firmly and later will easily come off most surfaces.  Some teachers then hot-glue the individual sheets to the black paper or use masking tape circles or double sided sticky foam tape that you can buy at hardware stores or teacher supply houses.

This may sound a bit overwhelming at first.  You can call me or e-mail me if you have any questions.   I am here to help you get this together and use it properly.  The time and energy I spent thinking this up and making it publishable are all for nothing if you cannot use it to help your students understand English verbs.

Color Connection is truly a small company.  I have created all of these materials myself and take a personal interest in making them available to you.  Please do not hesitate to ask for my help and advice.

Pam Kaatz

214-906-2106 (cell)

kaatz@airmail.net