Grammar WebQuest

Grammar Garbage

Introduction

It has come to our attention recently that many sentence structures are suffering from inappropriate grammar garbage. The root problem is no one knows which is garbage and which is not. Your objective is to find out what the laws are and pick up the garbage. Once your garbage truck is full, you should have enough evidence to ensure the garbage is used properly.

Supplies You Will Need

Folder/3-ring binder: Something to serve as your garbage container
Lines paper and construction paper
Markers/crayons/colored pens or pencils
Computer with Internet connection

Task

Your task is to investigate what the laws are governing grammar and pick up the offenders. By the end, you should have a garbage truck full of grammar and identified the criminal.

Process

In a group, you will go through the following tasks and uncover the crimes against grammar.

Start by making your own garbage truck. Once done, print this page out and color appropriately. Use these pages as your cover page.

What Is the Law?

Visit the Grammar Gorilla's hangout. Find out what he knows and what you should know about the crimes. Print out your final page with your score and add it to your case file.
Now that you have an overall idea of some of the problems, start by learning more about prepositions. After you go through the lesson, click on "Take Pop Quiz". Let's see how you do!
- Print out your answers
- Put both of your names on the paper
- Add the paper to your garbage truck
The chief garbage collector just came in and told you that criminals are starting to also use the wrong form of personal pronouns! HOW AWEFUL! Considering the chief is male and was just called "her." Learn what the proper use is for pronouns. When finished, click on the "Take Pop Quiz".
- Print out your answers
- Put both of your names on the paper
- Add the paper to yourgarbage truck
Someone continues to use the improper article for his adjective. Find out what they should be doing. When finished, click on the "Take Pop Quiz".
- Print out your answers
- Put both of your names on the paper
- Add the paper to your garbage truck
Finally, we found too many commas in the garbage can today. I think the criminal doesn't know what should be done. See how well you do. Once done, print out your answer, add your name on the paper and add it to your garbage truck.
- You can also take a look at some of the rules to better understand this person's shortcomings.

Have you figured out who is the criminal? Not yet, hmmm, keep going.

That was a lot of information to process. How full is your garbage truck?

Your Turn

Now that you know some of the grammar rules, a grabage truck would not be complete without adding valuable stuff also. Develop a set of priceless tools (flashcards) to add to your garbage truck. You should have at least five cards for each grammar rule you have uncovered (prepositions, pronouns, articles and commas).

In addition to the valuable tools, you just found Mad Libs in your garbage. Begin by developing at least two Wacky Web Tales. Once complete, print out the tales and add them to your garbage truck. Choose a partner and follow these steps to be successful in making your very own Mad Lib.

Think of a clever topic for your Mad Lib.
Write a paragraph of at least 12 sentences. You will be typing this on the computer.
Double space your paragraph.
Go back and remove at least 2 NOUNS. Type the word NOUN in place of the NOUNS.
Go back and remove at least 2 NOUNS. Type the word PRONOUN in place of the NOUNS.
Go back and remove at least 2 VERBS. Type the word VERB in place of the VERBS.
Go back and remove at least 2 ADJECTIVES. Type the word ADJECTIVE in place of the ADJECTIVES.
Go back and remove at least 1 ADVERB that ends in -LY. Type the word ADVERB in place of the ADVERB.
Feel free to add any other missing words you would like.

Now go with another pair of students and have them give you the missing parts of speech. Fill in the words they give you above the part of speech you have written. Read your story back with the words they gave you. Switch roles and give them the parts of speech for their story.

Have you figured out who is the criminal? Think of this ... who can make mistakes and add garbage to grammar? If you give up, see a picture of the person(s).

Evaluation

Score	1-Poor	2-Needs Improvement	3-Good	4-Great
Story	The story is less than 12 sentences, difficult to read, and doesn't make sense.	The story is at least 12 sentences but may be difficult to read and parts of it do not make sense.	The story is at least 12 sentences, easy to read, and, for the most part, makes sense.	The story is more than 12 sentences,creative, and makes sense with the words supplied.
Parts of Speech	Fewer than seven parts of speech have been identified.	At least seven parts of speech have been identified, but are incorrect.	Has chosen at least seven parts of speech to use, but not all are correct.	Has interesting use of more than seven correct parts of speech.
Following Classroom Guidelines	Students are often out of their area without permission and are disruptive to the class.Students did not follow the classroom schedule for completing tasks. Some or all of the tasks were late or not completed.	Students occasionally leave area without permission. Students did not follow the classroom schedule for completing tasks. Some or all of the tasks were late or not completed.	Students stay in their area and talk quietly to their own partner only. Students did follow the classroom schedule for completing tasks.	Students are always on task, stay in their own area, and work quietly. Students followed project directions and classroom directions. Students did follow the classroom schedule for completing tasks.

Conclusion

How did your garbage truck come out? Turn it in and feel great about yourself because you found the garbage in grammar.

Resources

Credit

Mrs. Piatt, Emory H. Markle Intermediate School, Hanover, Penn.

Last updated December 30, 2004

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