Grammar Gurus A WebQuest for 7th Grade English Designed by Sheril Miller smiller@eacs.k12.in.us

Introduction Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes When your teacher mentions grammar, you probably say to yourself, “Yawn. . . Boring. . . We did this last year.” Right? Not only is it necessary to learn the parts of speech, but we can have fun doing it. Read on to learn how.

The Task Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes Congratulations! Your teacher is hosting a Grammar Talent Show, and you will be assigned to a group to create an act for the show. Before you qualify for the talent show, you must graduate from “Grammar Boot Camp.” Click the arrow to begin your training.

Welcome to Boot Camp! Go to the following Website. Select and view a Power Point presentation called “The Parts of Speech” http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm Add Powerpoint entitled “Parts of Speech” and make a hyperlink from the words “Click here.”

Visit a new Website Print this worksheet. Go to the link below for your part of speech, and complete your worksheet. Your worksheet will be collected at the end of the talent show. Noun Verb Preposition Adverb Adjective Conjunction Interjection Pronoun www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adverbs.htm

Websites Use the following Websites to find more information about your part of speech. http://ruthvilmi.net/hut/help/grammar_help/ http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/ http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/ http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/grammar/menu.html

Graduation day Go to the Website below to see if you qualify for graduation from Grammar Boot Camp. Play the game, then return for more instructions. http://www.netrover.com/~3384mary/noun/noun.html How do they get back from the Internet?

Congratulations! You have now graduated from Grammar Boot Camp. When all members of your group are ready, meet to plan your Talent Show act.

Create Your Act Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes Your act may be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, a skit, a song and dance routine, or whatever you can think of to make it fun and entertaining. Your act needs to include music and a visual, and (most importantly!) it must teach the rest of the class about your part of speech. Be creative—the sky’s the limit! Once you have been placed in a group, you will be assigned a part of speech. Each group member will then select one of the following roles: Head writer Artist in Residence Director Music Director Click on the job to see each job description.

Head Writer Your job is to write the script. It will be up to you to make sure the Talent Committee (your teacher) has a written copy of what you will be doing. You will work closely with the Music Director. While writing your script, keep these things in mind: Who are the characters in your act? What is the setting? What is the plot?

Artist in Residence Your job is to take care of all visuals. If your group does a PowerPoint presentation, you will be in charge of putting it all together. If your group decides to make a poster, you will be in charge of creating it. You will work closely with the Music Director. While working on your visuals, keep these things in mind: Will the visuals teach your classmates something? Will they keep students’ attention? Do the visuals go well with the rest of the presentation?

Director Your job is to oversee the production of your group’s act. You are responsible for keeping your group on track and seeing that all members do their part of the work. It is also your job to make arrangements for any technology needs (overhead projector, digital projector, etc.) You will work closely with all group members and help out wherever you are needed. While working, ask yourself these questions: Are all group members involved? Does everyone understand his or her assignment? Have I taken care of all our technology needs?

Music Director You are responsible for the music that will be played during your act. Once your individual work is completed, you will work closely with the Artist in Residence and the Director. The director may ask you to help with another job. While preparing the music, ask yourself these questions: Does my musical selection relate to what we’re teaching? Is the music I chose school-appropriate? (If not, choose different music!) Will I be able to provide the music? (You’ll have to have it on a cassette, CD, or embedded into your PowerPoint presentation.)

Talent Show Tips Your act should be 3-5 minutes in length All members must be involved in the talent show in some way You must include music You must include at least one visual The main point is to teach the class about your part of speech

Evaluation You will receive a group grade and an individual grade. Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes You will receive a group grade and an individual grade. Click here and print the group work rubric. Click here and print the final product rubric.

Conclusion Congratulations! Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes Congratulations! Now that you have completed this WebQuest, you are an official Grammar Guru. You may even decide you want to become an English teacher some day.

Teacher Notes Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes www.Eacs.k12.in.us This WebQuest was designed for seventh grade Language Arts students. It is intended to be used near the beginning of the school year as a survey of the parts of speech. “Grammar Gurus” addresses the following Indiana state standards: 7.6.4 Identify all parts of speech (verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections) and types and structure of sentences. 7.6.5 Demonstrate appropriate English usage (such as pronoun reference).

Vocabulary Noun—A person, place, thing, or idea Verb—Expresses action or a state of being Adjective—modifies a noun or pronoun Adverb—Modifies a verb Pronoun—takes the place of a noun Preposition—shows the relationship between two things Conjunction—connects words, phrases, and clauses Interjection—shows excitement Uses more specific definitions