Recent Comments

When I had to cancel the workshop in Jackson, TN, due to lack of participation, the host teacher wrote me these comments that I would like to share with you:

Oh, Pam, I am so disappointed in all of this! I also thought that we would have a much better reaction. I think that you hit the nail on the head when you said that people are so stressed and so busy to take on the challenge of doing something new (or perhaps too afraid to try it). Truth be told, I absolutely know the Spanish Verb Wall works, but I was so stuck in my rut for a few years that I was afraid to try something new (even though I desperately knew and wanted a change) AND I didn't want to start over, so to speak, remembering the long hours of pre-planning lessons and scope/sequence, etc. from my first year. Not that one has to do that, but in my own mind I felt like I needed a complete overhaul. So, after using several of your lessons (thanks a ton for posting them online! (http://www.color-connection.com/VWVW/VWVWMain.htm Click on LESSONS) I realized how helpful this is to students. I owe it to them and to myself to be a better teacher. I've used my own money to purchase many of the materials that you have available, but it has been well worth it. Several of my senior girls last year tested into upper sophmore/lower junior level courses for college Spanish, so I cannot imagine how much more they could have done if I had been using the SVW all along as well. I can't wait to see the "grammar pressure" lifted. Well, it already has been to some extent.

A few years ago I made my own version of your lesson the International Forum. (available in LESSONS on-lite) Actually, this was the very first lesson of yours that I used. I absolutely loved how it worked (works), and it really clicks with students. So, when I realized what and how you were trying to teach, I was sold. Actually, quite literally, I “bought in” to the idea, and I decided not to make anymore of the materials on my own*, but to actually purchase the ones you've already taken the time to make.

Celecia

*Note from Pam: I have always stated that anyone is free to make his/her own materials using any of my ideas. But as Celecia says, you will find that it is just too much work. I think the most outstanding thing I ever saw was a Spanish Verb Wall done in calligraphy by a VERY TALENTED teacher in Wisconsin.

Pam Kaatz

AKA La Anciana Venerable

The color coded verb wall is fantastic. At first the students where wondering what the color codes were all about. But gradually your unique, highly creative and effective system began to make sense to them. When they are talking about themselves, use "red" "; talk to a friend use blue. This has so amazingly helped me to teach the essence of what students what to be able "to do" with the language and that is "to converse" They have colored pencils and move them around to show who is taking and who is responding. They become involved in what I call the "back and forth" How are you? I am fine. I used to hear : How are you? You are fine.
Now they realize that the colors need to change or remain the same if they are talking "about " one or more people. Then they plug in the verb endings and communications become "real life Spanish" instead of verb conjugations.
They are linking "joining" the person and his or her color to the verb. The wall is vibrant and alive with colors and different tenses. They continually see the relationship of times:
present, past and future and begin to know where to look to access what they need to use. It is a powerful and exciting visual guide. Since any language needs repetition, how better to do this than to have something to see at each class as a reminder. Slowly the sense of a visual time line begins to register.
The more they see the color coded verb wall, the more they count on it to help them create comprehensible out-put as well as developing better comprehensible in-put.

Thank you, Pam, for this marvelous contribution:The Color Connection is outstanding in all aspects.