Yesterday I worked with Middle and High School English teachers developing curriculum maps. During our time together we discussed the challenges of teaching students grammar. As so often happens, following our conversations I began to wonder if there are some web apps and games that could be used to complement the text books and materials that are currently embedded in their curriculum. This post is dedicated to those teachers (everywhere) who strive to help students learn and improve their grammar skills. Please feel free to share additional resources using the comment link fund at the bottom of this post.

1. Virtual Grammar Lab – while this site is not flashy or polished in appearance, it does feature an extensive database of links to free online English grammar activities on the Internet. Search for activities using the grammar point you want to study, by the difficulty level, or by the type of activity. The Virtual Grammar Lab was designed for ESL/EFL students but also has many activities that will help students in English writing classes practice their grammar.Students and teachers can sign up for free Virtual Grammar Lab accounts. You do not need to be registered to use the site; however, registered teachers can create classes for their students to join and then track the VGL use and grammar studied by their students. Students can rate the activities they study to help guide future learners to the best pages. Students can also flag links that are broken or other problems with the activities for the Spunky English team to investigate. Teachers can also rate activities and flag problems, but more importantly, they can add additional activities to the VGL database.
2. The Grammar Aquarium – this site features grammar notes, online and handout grammar exercises for EFL and ESL students. The exercises are straight-forward with very few graphics, but solid content.
3. Grammar Ninja – This activity/game was more colorful and interactive than the links I reviewed so far, but content was somewhat limited. Refer to the screenshot below for a summary of the activities.
   
4. English Grammar Book – Englishpage.com is constructing a grammar book of high-quality English lessons and exercises to help English learners learn English grammar online. There are a number of activities that can be used to practice grammar skills.
5. Grammar Bytes – scary icon character/logo aside, this site features a large number of resources: handouts, exercises, presentations, and more. This is truly a marvelous place to look for supplementary handouts and instructional PowerPoints.
6. The Guide to Grammar and Writing this sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation, features solid information that can be shared with students working at any level.
7. Grammar Girl – “Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve writing. Covering the grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers, Grammar Girl makes complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules. Whether English is your first language or second language, Grammar Girl’s punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Mignon Fogarty is the creator and host of Grammar Girl. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.” If you have not listened to Grammar Girl take time to do so…her podcasts are engaging and interesting.
8. Great Source iWrite: Grammar Handbook – an animated and narrated glossary of grammar terms.
9. BBC Skillwise – this portal features 10+ games and activities that students can play to build grammar skills.
10. Learn English – this site features a large number of grammar-related activities.  Perform a search for the word grammar to find the activities and lessons quickly.
11. 40+ Tips to Improve your Grammar and Punctuation – this is an excellent blog post found on the blog Dumb Little Man Tips for Life.
12. Dr. Grammar – “a site devoted to providing helpful assistance for writers everywhere! It does not matter whether you are looking for help with comma rules or with formats for writing business letters (or with everything in between), you will find helpful assistance here.”

The following activities are probably most suitable for elementary students, but I have found that older students also enjoy the challenge and review of playing online games.

1. Grammar Blast – designed for younger students these activities are brief in nature, but engaging.
2. Maggie’s Earth Adventure – five brief, colorful grammar games that will appeal to students all ages.
3. Grammar Practice Book – 12 great grammar games for students grades 4-6.
4. Monkey Business – children build bridges to let a monkey cross over treacherous waters using proper sentence structure.
5. Proofreading Makes Perfect - students can learn how to proofread by correcting sentences in this game.
6. Grammar Gorillas – Choose from a beginner or advanced level and rack up bananas as parts of speech are properly identified.
7. 2Bee or Nottoobee – choose one of two bumblebee characters and skill level in this game that helps you select the right verb within the sentence.
8. Paint by Idioms – choose a character to paint, a skill level, and the way you want the idiom problems presented. As you choose the correct answer, the painter will paint.
9. MadLibs – this fun, fast paced game emphasizes nouns and adjectives.
10. I Know That.com – this site features numerous interactive activities and games that can be used to help students develop grammar skills.
11. Copacabana Public School: Get Smart English – this school has created a portal to several grammar games (you may notice some duplication with some of the sites I have shared in this post).

You might also find some of my past postings helpful:

• Celebrate National Punctuation Day…[!;"(,?.)"-:]
• The “Write” Stuff