The word reads is the verb. The section of the roll where the word reads appears is torn off and placed in the space marked Verb. Then ask: "Who is it that reads?" The answer is, "The child reads." The section containing the word the child is torn off and placed in the space marked Subject.
Another sentence: on the roll the child finds written:
The glass is broken.
The teacher can briefly explain that the verb taken by itself, has no special meaning. Is means nothing! "Is? Is what?" Some attribute must be added: "Is broken!" Here we get a nominal predicate. When the verb contains some definite meaning in terms of action, for instance reads, we get a verbal predicate. The section of the roll containing is broken is torn off, accordingly, and placed in the space of the verb. But what is broken? The glass! The section containing the words the glass is placed in the space of the subject. All of this can be copied off by the child by hand, as follows:
Simple sentence: The child reads.
The child: Subject.
Reads: Predicate (verbal).
Series I
(Simple Sentences)
The first roll contains the following simple sentences without modifiers of any kind:
—The child reads.
—The glass is broken.
—Charles is tall.
—The trees are blossoming.
—The blackboard is clean.
—Who has come?
—The pencil is broken.
—The sky is blue.
—I am reading.
—I am studying.
—The children are playing.
—Time flies.
—The teacher sings.