Introduction
As you know there is an increasing pressure from the government for students to become proficient in areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Your teachers have been called upon to teach you grammar basics in order for students to score proficient in the area of writing. This is a huge problem because students who do not score proficient on standardized tests may not pass middle school or high school, and funding may be lost for the schools. This funding supports athletics, electives, and extra-curricular activities. The other main problem teachers are facing is that students find grammar extremely boring. This is where we need your help!
Task
Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to develop a list of the 10 most essential grammar rules that you can give to your fellow classmates as a quick reference guide. The other, much bigger task, is to create a lesson on one grammar rule you can teach that you feel is most important to becoming proficient in writing. As teachers, we are asking for your help in this area because you know what interests students your age. We know that you can turn a boring grammar rule into something that your classmates can understand and remember by making that grammar rule interesting.
Your teacher has provided you with resources to help you accomplish this task. There are links to the right that will take you to grammar sites, give you an outline on how to complete this project, and even give you tips on how to create an effective presentation. Take a minute to look through the links. Then you will need to assemble a team to help you tackle the task of teaching your class one major grammar rule.
Process
Procedure:
- You must first start by compiling a list of 10 important grammar rules. Your list must be annotated which means that you need to include the definition of the rule, a correct and incorrect example of the rule, and the web address of the site that you found your rule.
- Next, decide as a group on one rule that you feel everyone in the class needs to know (you should also have a second choice). After you've decided on a rule, present your choice to your teacher for approval. Since every group must pick a unique rule, you may not get your first choice.
- The next step is to create a lesson plan as to how you are going to teach your grammar rule to the class. Please see the attached file on how to develop your lesson. Lesson Plan Guide
- Finally, practice your presentation as a group. Make sure everyone is clear on what their part is and remember everyone needs equal speaking time.
Evaluation
Assessment:
**Your annotated list of grammar rules--Is it complete and comprehensive?
**Your overall lesson/presentation on your grammar rule to the class--Were you clear, well rehearsed, prepared? Were handouts included? What was the effect of the presentation? Use the link below to download the PDF Presentation Rubric to evaluate your group's presentation
**How well you worked as a group--Did you make comprimises? Did everyone have an equal part? Was everyone included, and did everyone feel welcomed as a valuable member of the group? Download the link below to access a rubric that you can use to evaluate individual student effort in a collaborative group.
Collaborative Work Skills Rubric
You will also be asked to complete a self-evaluation of your work. Click on the following Self Evaluation link to complete your self evaluation after your presentation is complete. Click on the Self Evaluation in Adobe to print out and complete by hand. Click on Self Evaluation in Word to complete on the computer.
Conclusion
Finally, you will be asked to give your feedback on this assignment. Suggestions/Critiques are welcomed at this stage.