Best Grammar Practice Software for High School Teachers
There are many things to consider when selecting an online grammar program to use with high school students.
A strong grasp of grammar is key to becoming a strong writer, but helping students learn the nuances of the English language can be a tall task for teachers. Grammar is not always the most captivating topic for students, and traditional instructional approaches that rely on rote learning aren’t particularly effective.
That’s why many ELA teachers have sought out more engaging, more context-rich ways to provide students with the building blocks they need to grow as writers. Below, we run through a few popular grammar websites for high school teachers that you can use to build student grammar skills in your classroom.
English Grammar 101
One of the early online grammar programs for high school, English Grammar 101 was founded in 2000. In 2015, the company tapped language arts teacher Kitty Nash to rewrite its instructional series and map out several feature upgrades.
The new and improved English Grammar 101 integrates with Clever and includes 16 instructional modules that touch on a wide range of grammar skills. Each module delivers lessons that provide step-by-step instruction, as well as pre-tests, quizzes, reviews, and post-tests. English Grammar 101’s learning materials incorporate Common Core Standards, but they do not explicitly align with standards used in non-Common Core states.
GrammarPlanet
GrammarPlanet is an online grammar, punctuation, and usage curriculum. It provides students with instructional videos and PDFs of notes, then directs them through a unit consisting of a series of activities that lead up to a test on the unit’s topic. GrammarPlanet’s units cannot be skipped and must be completed in a fixed order, though its responsive system shepherds students through topics they already understand fairly quickly.
Because of the responsiveness of its system, GrammarPlanet is appropriate for “students from 10 to 99 who want to improve their English,” making it a suitable online grammar program for high school. GrammarPlanet offers both an ad-supported free version and an ad-free paid version.
Khan Academy Grammar
Khan Academy’s grammar course is a completely free grammar software option for high school teachers. The course is broken down into 10 sections, each of which is further broken down into several topics that are covered by video lessons narrated by experienced teachers. Once students view these lessons, they have the option to complete four (almost exclusively multiple choice) questions to earn “Mastery points.”
While Khan Academy’s grammar questions often test different types of thinking—one question might ask students to select the correct version of a sentence while another might ask them to select which word in an example sentence a pronoun refers to—their multiple choice format can feel limiting at times.
On the plus side, if you’re looking for a grammar app for high school students that can be used on a variety of devices, Khan Academy offers both an iOS and an Android version in addition to its web browser-based version.
NoRedInk
NoRedInk’s free online curriculum covers grammar, conventions, usage, and writing skills. From identifying the function of verbals to arranging sentences in active and passive voice to using strong reasoning to connect claims and evidence, NoRedInk Practice exercises cover the full spectrum of skills students need to become strong writers.
These interactive exercises ask students to restructure sentences, edit and mark up text, and manipulate multi-paragraph passages, and NoRedInk’s adaptive mastery system adjusts the difficulty of questions students see based on how they’re doing on an assignment. To keep students engaged as they master writing and grammar skills, NoRedInk incorporates each student’s favorite celebrities, characters, pets, and other interests into their Practice exercises. NoRedInk also saves teachers time by providing collections of exercises that are aligned with state and national standards and tests.
Unlike programs that focus exclusively on skills practice, NoRedInk enables students to apply their learning through writing activities like lightweight Quick Writes, scaffolded essays, and guided self and peer reviews.
Sign up for free today to get access to thousands of writing and grammar activities spanning hundreds of topics!
