view - National Center for Education Development

A flannel board is of great help for a language teacher. S/he can arrange and rearrange a
series of pictures on it with the greatest ease. S/he can also show various actions by
putting up or taking off pictures in quick succession. It is very useful to teach new
vocabularies and sentences. Flash cards and cut-outs are displayed on it and the teacher
proceeds with his/ her lesson.
Pocket chart:
To prepare a pocket chart, we need thick paper, stapler, pencil, ruler, and a pair of
scissors. Here are some steps for constructing a pocket chart.
a) Take a piece of thick paper (cardboard paper)
b) Fold a one inch thick portion at the top and insert a stick.
c) Continue folding one inch deep pockets. If more pockets are needed add another
sheet of paper.
d) Staple both sides of the chart so that the folds form the pockets.
e) Make two holes at the top of the chart.
f) Put a string through the holes and fasten it so that the chart can be hung on the wall.
Pocket chart can be used to:
� display letter, word, sentence, or number, cards, particularly when they need to be
rearranged quickly.
� display small pictures and drawing.
� display written work.
iv) Flash cards:
Flashcards are pieces of cards. They may contain sounds, letters, words, phrases,
sentences, etc. Flashcards are very useful inexpensive aids in teaching English. When the
teacher writes letters words, etc. on the flashcards they should sufficiently be large
enough so that when the teacher puts up a card the pupils even from the last benches can
read them without difficulty. Children can also use them, working in groups, pairs or
individually.
Required materials are cardboard paper, ruler, pencil, and a pair of scissors.
The sizes of the flash cards vary according to the picture or text to be shown. Items to be
shown may be single letters, groups of letters, or words, or they may be pictures of
complicated situations. Flash cards should be of a size which is easy for the teacher to
flash enough so that the students can see them easily.
The flash cards are suitable for:
� pictorial representation of single concepts for example, of actions or objects.
� revision of known language.
� recombination or manipulation work
� cues for starting stories.
� prompt for drill activities.
� teaching spelling
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