1. Visual Verbs:
Using Manipulatives
to Teach Verb Tenses
Los Angeles Regional CATESOL • October 22, 2011
Marla Yoshida • marla.yoshida@unx.uci.edu
UC Irvine Extension • International Programs
http://yoshidacatesol.pbworks.com

2. Verb timelines:
A grammar teaching tradition
X
Past Now Future

3. Advantages of a 3-D timeline
• Real objects keep students’ interest.
• Moving “verbs” around on their own timelines
keeps students involved and helps them
understand. Effective for kinesthetic learners.
• You don’t have to redraw it every time.
• The “verbs” aren’t static. They can be made to
show the qualities of tenses by rolling or
stretching.

4. Constructing a 3-D timeline
1. Gather your materials:
• A strip of corner molding (wood or plastic).
2-3 feet is a good length.

5. Constructing a 3-D timeline
1. Gather your materials:
• A metal strip or strips, slightly shorter and
narrower than the molding. Hacksaw blades
work well. Magnetic tape is also OK.

6. Constructing a 3-D timeline
1. Gather your materials:
• Hard-drying clay for the ends of the timeline.

7. Constructing a 3-D timeline
1. Gather your materials:
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks or other strong
glue.
• Paint is optional

8. Constructing a 3-D timeline
1. Gather your materials:
• Verbs

9. Constructing a 3-D timeline
2. Measure and cut the molding.

10. Constructing a 3-D timeline
3. Glue the metal strips in place.

11. Constructing a 3-D timeline
4. Use clay to shape triangular ends.

12. Constructing a 3-D timeline
5. Mark the ends “past” and “future.”

13. The finished timeline

14. The finished timeline

15. Another way:
1. Cut a long strip of posterboard and two small
strips for the ends.

16. Another way:
2. Fold lengthwise. Fold and attach labels at
ends as braces.

17. Smaller timelines for students
The easiest way: Photocopy timeline. Use
beans, beads, or pieces of straws to represent
verbs.

18. Smaller timelines for students
Or cut and fold paper to make V-shaped timeline.

19. Verb tenses related to the present

20. Verb tenses related to the past

21. Verb tenses related to the future

22. Try these on the timeline:
1. I ate breakfast at 7:00 this morning.
2. While I was eating, I spilled some orange
juice.
3. I’ve been here for 20 minutes.
4. I’ve seen that movie three times.
5. I had decided to see that movie even before I
saw the trailer.

23. Try these on the timeline:
6. I wear glasses.
7. I’m wearing glasses.
8. I’m going to wear glasses again tomorrow.
9. When you see me again, I’ll still be wearing
glasses.

24. Questions?