Try these tips with the following Merit programs: Grammar Fitness, Grammar Fitness for Upper Grades, Grammar Shape-Up, Write It Right

Start out with Merit's Tryouts to see where students need grammar help most.

Discuss problem areas with students.

Supplement Merit with workbooks so students have a chance to practice skills in a variety of contexts.

Return to the software; have students try Merit Warm-up and/or Workout sections.

Follow up each software session by asking students what new things they have learned. What new questions do they have?

Have students print scores received for completing software Warm-up and Workout sections. Later, discuss these scores with students. Are they pleased with their progress? What seems easier to them? What needs more practice?

Tell students to imagine they are making up their own incorrect sentences and answers for the Merit program being used. Have them work in pairs to create, write, and draw their own skill-related questions and answers.

Relate grammar skills being practiced with the software to material in the classroom.

Suggest students try to find and highlight their own in-class or homework writing mistakes. Ask them to write out improved sentences before starting their next drafts.

Return to the software and let students try Merit's Finals, to help prepare for and de-mystify standardized tests.

Follow up software units with written post-texts.

Compare students' software results with gains on standardized test scores.