About Hands-On Grammar
- What is Hands-On Grammar?
Hands-On Grammar provides interactive whiteboard content for grammar-based learning lessons. Hands-On Grammar covers 15 areas of grammar with an array of effective, hands-on activities designed to engage students.
- Who is Hands-On Grammar for?
Hands-On Grammar is designed for English language learners, long-term English learners, and English-Only students at the Early Intermediate to Intermediate proficiency levels. Read more on the Overview page.
- Why target Early Intermediate and Intermediate students?
Research shows that English language learners at the Early Intermediate to Intermediate proficiency levels tend to get "stuck" at this level. Hands-On Grammar helps reinforce and expand language for students at this level. Read more on the Overview page.
- How is Hands-On Grammar aligned to the Common Core State Standards?
Hands-On Grammar specifically and granularly aligns to the Common Core Language Standards for grammar. Read more on the Overview page.
- Why use Hands-On Grammar?
Hands-On Grammar maximizes various features of the interactive whiteboard to create a dynamic learning environment in which students are absorbed in fun, hands-on, and collaborative grammar learning activities. Read more on the Overview page.
- Who can teach with Hands-On Grammar?
Any teacher having an interactive whiteboard in their classroom can use Hands-On Grammar with the help of the teacher's guide. You can download a free teacher�s guide on the Download page.
- Do I have to be a master at grammar to use this product?
The teacher's guide provides teachers with background knowledge and information behind every lesson. All teachers, novice or experienced at grammar can use this product with the help of the teacher's guide. You can download a free teacher's guide on the Download page.
- How long is a typical grammar lesson with Hands-On Grammar?
The length of lessons with Hands-On Grammar will vary depending on the teacher, classroom size, student involvement, and time spent guiding students through the activities. Overall, lessons can range from 30 minutes to two hours, with a grand total of about two years worth of instruction.
Incorporating Hands-On Grammar into Your Current ELD/ESL or ELA Curriculum
- How and when do I use Hands-On Grammar with my core ELD or ELA program?
- When do I use the Hands-On Grammar activities?
Through the course of the lesson in your core program, use the hands-on activities in the following ways:
- At the beginning of the lesson to introduce that grammatical form
- During the lesson to provide further practice in a new context
- At the end of a lesson, to reinforce, extend, and informally assess students' grasp of that grammatical form
Using an Interactive Whiteboard other than SMART™?
- How do I Use Hands-On Grammar with Other Interactive Whiteboards?
Although Hands-On Grammar is designed to be used specifically with SMART͐ interactive whiteboards, you can use it with other interactive whiteboards such as the ACTIVBoard (Promethean). Go to http://express.smarttech.com/ to download the free Notebook Express software that is required to run the files. You have two options for running the files, but it is recommended that you use Option #1:
- Go to http://express.smarttech.com/ and download the free SMART͐ Notebook Express Software, and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the software to your computer. Then run Notebook Express Software, and click "Open an Existing Notebook file," and browse and locate the file on the CD-ROM. Then follow the directions in this teacher's guide to carry out the activities.
- If you have fast and consistent Internet connection, you can choose not to install the software but to run the file using the Internet-based software. Go to http://express.smarttech.com/. Click on "Open an Existing Notebook file," and browse and locate the file on the CD-ROM. Then follow the directions in this teacher's guide to carry out the activities.
About Interactive Whiteboards
- Do I need a particular type of whiteboard?
Although Hands-On Grammar is designed to be used specifically with SMART™ interactive whiteboards, you can use it with other interactive whiteboards such as the ACTIVBoard (Promethean)
- What do I need to use Hands-On Grammar?
You will need an interactive whiteboard and access to a computer with SMART™ Notebook software installed to effectively teach grammar using Hands-On Grammar.
- Why use an interactive whiteboard?
Various research and white papers show that introducing interactive lessons in the classroom keeps students engaged and maximizes their learning experience.
- How can I get training on using a whiteboard?
If your classroom is already equipped with an interactive whiteboard, the vendor can give you in-person training on interactive whiteboard usage. Please contact your vendor for training.
Who developed this product?
- Learn more about Ballard & Tighe, Publishers.
Ballard & Tighe, Publishers (www.ballard-tighe.com) proudly brings you Hands-On Grammar - an interactive grammar-learning product designed for the interactive whiteboard.
Ballard & Tighe has focused on developing products for English language learners since 1976. With over 35 years of experience, Ballard & Tighe produces assessment products and instructional materials used in more than 3,500 school districts throughout the U.S. and internationally. Learn more about its reliable, research-based product offerings for Pre-K through 12 grade at www.ballard-tighe.com.
Instructional materials include the 2011 award-winning instructional supplement, Frames for Fluency, and the valid and reliable IPT Language Proficiency Test.
