Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Editorial Team
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English is the language of the world. One needs to learn phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and ultimately, grammar to communicate error-free manner. A sentence or speech comprises parts such as noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverbs, etc. A Grammar beginner can perform better by learning with manipulatives owing to their easier relatability. English as Second Language learners can alleviate their learning stress by using manipulatives that offer visuals, kinesthetic support, and active learning, as per the study done by Kathleen Corrales.
Grammar is synonymous with a rule book that determines how sentences are to be formed. There has to be an agreement between the subject(s), verb, and tenses. The use of correct punctuation is also necessary to bring in prosody while reading and to write a sentence that conveys the meaning correctly.
While worksheets, posters, task cards, etc. are quite helpful in creating the correct classroom environment for grammar students, alternative methods of teaching may help in homeschooling, self-practice, etc. The alternative teaching materials like manipulatives and games also help keep the students pulled through the learning process if the conventional ways don’t complement their learning style.
Keeping in mind various learning styles and grammar concepts to focus upon, we have enlisted some engaging manipulatives that make learning fun and more impactful.
Manipulatives for introducing grammar to little learner
1. Part of Speech Flips
Parts of Speech is the core concept of English Grammar. English beginners may not relate to the textual content that provides definitions and examples. The flips enriched with pictures corresponding to noun/pronoun, adjective, verb, prepositions, etc. deliver the meaning with added clarity. There is no room for confusion left when they learn by looking at pictures as these visuals impregnate visual memory that helps retain concepts more sustainably.
This flips collection walks the students to the concept of sentence construction quite meaningfully. English sentences have a pre-defined format, that defines clearly the position of various parts of speech in a sentence. Hence, you can experience considerable lucidity in the formation of sentences. By allowing you to work on lexical semantics, this manipulative offers an activity-led learning solution for Grammar beginners.
2. Sentence builder
While flips offer you a more engaging option to read and build concepts, the sentence building blocks allow you to put the learning into action. Lots of color-coded strips containing different parts of speech are included in this manipulative set. The beginners may be given activity cards first where the sentences are written. Students will form those sentences on the tablet provided by taking a clue from the cards. It is the first step that offers meaningful practice without employing pen-and-paper learning. The learners who require to manage writing difficulties can get away with the writing problems by focussing better on the core learning.
Moving forth, this set can be used to do Q & A activities or for expressing ideas through short paragraphs. In Q & A activity, the teacher will ask the question. The student responds to it by choosing the relevant color-coded blocks and arranging them to make a grammatically correct answer. Making short sentences on a given topic can also allow the learner to express the knowledge with the help of this manipulative.
3. Reading Rods
Do you want to practice grammar rules without using pen and paper? These color-coded connecting blocks offer you a handy alternative. Engage yourself in practicing grammar rules by making sentences with these reading rods. Students can self-learn how to use pronouns, verbs, helping verbs, etc. in a grammatically correct manner with this manipulative. They can practice grammar concepts like subject-verb agreement, subject and predicate, and various forms of verbs by adding relevant rods.
A unique feature of this manipulative is that it contains blocks for punctuation marks too. Thus, you can understand the usage of punctuation marks and their utility in making correct English sentences. Easy storage, color-coded rods for visual learners, and the comfort of using grammar semantics in written and spoken language are some palatable features of this manipulative for language beginners.
4. Grammar Flash Card Game
Gamified way of learning Grammar rules comes wrapped in this guessing card game. To err is human and to correct it is coming to a step closer to perfection. This game highlights all the errors people usually make while writing sentences, instructions, or directions in English. Learners can apply their knowledge of grammatical semantics to pinpoint the error and enlighten others, too, by telling the correct sentence.
This grammar game offers a collaborative approach to learning where the participants can learn to apply the written English rules in real-life consumables. A touch of hilarity is added to this guessing game by including errors that distort the intended meaning completely and create a funny situation. With regular practice, you can master grammar rules and avoid mistakes; it can help you become fluent in English.
5. Sentence-building dominoes
A fluently written sentence in English complies with all rules of grammar. The use of the correct sequence of parts of speech can tell a sophisticated written note from an ordinary one. Learners who need visual learning support can do better with color-coded dominoes. Every part of speech such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, prepositions, conjunction, etc. is given a unique color. Thus, you can blend the conceptual knowledge with visual learning to reinforce grammar concepts and their use in fluent sentence-making.
It is suitable learning support that can be used to supplement writing lessons. The gamified feel of this grammar manipulative helps learners pick up the concepts in a stress-free manner and drives them to practice more combinations. Aspiring ESL students can have ample practice of commonly used sentences to develop conversation skills too.
6. Parts of Speech Board Game
How about learning the classification of words by playing a game? It is surely a more engaging way of acquiring and refining grammar skills. This game emphasizes learning how to use nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives to attain clarity while framing sentences. A time-pressed aim of beating the opponent to 15 points helps combine strategy with applying knowledge.
This game for two contains key cards where nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns are highlighted with colors and their position in the sentence is emphasized too. Hence, a more engaging reading alternative is offered to learners in this game with a focus on how to apply knowledge to win the game. It offers motivation, engagement, and an easy learning tool that offers learning in an entertaining way.
7. Super Sentence Game
Common errors that people make are of using an incorrect verb and tense, or verb and subject agreement. This issue can be addressed hands-on with this manipulative that teaches grammatical rules in a gamified manner. You are given a number of tiles and the path where these are to be put. The tiles contain sentence parts and phrases containing what, when, where, why, etc. Learners need to put the correct phrases one after the other to form complete sentences as their turn comes.
This game proves effective in learning how to construct grammatically correct sentences with why, where, when, etc. words. It covers topics such as how to use verbs according to the tense and as per the singular and plural subjects appearing in a sentence. A fun factor comes in when the sentence is actually not meaningful but the usage of all parts is done in the correct sequence. Pulling a few laughs in the learning hour makes it fun and students feel more driven to practice harder and consistently.
Conclusion
Grammar rules are many and learning them becomes more cumbersome. A common observation is that language beginners tend to become confused when the concepts are introduced one after the other. Manipulatives can help reinforce grammatical concepts with a better focus on every part of a sentence. You can create a combination of concepts to focus upon to enable better memory recall. So, give a taste of active learning to grammar learners with manipulatives and make learning fun yet more sustainable.
I am Pratiksha Bhatt, Bachelor of Life Science, and Masters in Management Studies. I have done certification courses in early education counseling. I am a writer, a mother of a child with spelling difficulties which drove me to alternative resources of education like manipulatives and participatory activities. My areas of expertise are learning difficulties, alternative learning methods, and activity-based learning.