Introduction
Congratulations!
Your school has been selected to compete for an all expense paid trip to Disney World! What do you have to do? It's simple! You and your classmates will create a student grammar handbook for middle school students. Don't panic! Your teacher LOVES Disney and will gladly help you! Remember to read carefully and do your best work! The winning grammar handbook will be published and sold to school districts all over the country!
Task
Each group of 2-3 students will be given a specific aspect of grammar to research. Utilize the teacher selected websites to research your specific area of grammar and clearly define it. Next, draft relevant examples to demonstrate your understanding. Then create an anchor chart that teachers can use as a classroom reference when teaching this skill to their classes. In addition you will have to create three work pages and answer sheets that other students can use to practice the grammar skill. Now get to work.. Disney is waiting!
Process
Hello Students!
Let's prepare for operation Grammar Handbook Challenge!
Step 1. The Project Supervisor (teacher) will divide you into teams of three. Each team must contain personnel to carry out the following roles:
- Researcher - your job as the researcher is to lead your team in researching your topic and deciding what information on that topic is most relevant to utilize in your chapter of the grammar handbook.
- Illustrator- your job is to lead the team in utilizing the information presented by the reasearch team to create your group's anchor chart.
- Educational Consultant- your job is to lead the team in creating the 1 worksheet and answer key for your grammar topic. (Remember, your work must be on grade level and inspire higher order thinking for your students)
Step 2. All team members must provide input into every aspect of the project.
Step 3. The team should determine how to compile the information in a manner that will be visually appealing to middle school students and allows them the opportunity to learn.
Step 4. The Project Supervisor (teacher) will monitor each groups progress and will be available to assist as needed. Each team will be notified in advannce of their scheduled meeting time and must be prepared to hold a formal conference with the Project Supervisor regarding the status of their work. This will be the time to address all questions, comments and concerns. Additionally, the Project Supervisor will review the evaluation rubric with the team to ensure that your team is on the right track.
Step 5. Each group will be responsible for presenting their chapter to the class. Each team member must have the opportunity to speak. Your team should also be prepared to answer questions on your topic as the audience will have the opportunity to question you to help them clear up misconceptions about your topic. You need to know your stuff!
Topics:
- Commas
- Quotation Marks
- End Punctuation
- Subject/Verb Agreement
- Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement
- Transitions
- Complete Sentences
- Editing/Revising
- Correct Word Choice
- Colons & Semicolons
Evaluation
| # | Beginning | Developing | Very Good | Expert | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research | The information you provided does not demonstrate an understanding of the concept being presented. | The information you provided demonstrate a minimal understanding of the concept being presented. | The information you provided demonstrates a clear understanding of the concept being presented. | The information you provided demonstrates an in depth understanding of the concept being presented. | |
| Illustartion | Your anchor chart does not provide visuals and verbiage to aid learnesrs in understanding the key elements of the concept. | Your anchor chart provides minimal information to aid learners in understanding the key elements of concept. Your visual aids and written examples are unclear to learners. | Your anchor chart provides an adequate amount of information to aid learners in understanding the key elements of concept. You have included visual aids or written examples. | Your anchor chart provides an exceptional information to aid learners in understanding the key elements of concept. You have included both visual aids and written examples. | |
| Worksheets | Your worksheets contain questions that provide students with no opportunity to apply higher order thinking skills. Your answer key is incorrect. You have included at least one of the following types of questions: multiple choice, true/false, fill-ins, and open-ended questions. | Your worksheets contain questions that provide students with a minimal opportunity to apply higher order thinking skills. Your answer key is correct. You have included at least two of the following types of questions: multiple choice, true/false, fill-ins, and open-ended questions. | Your worksheets contain questions that provide students with a an adequate opportunity to apply higher order thinking skills. Your answer key is correct. You have included at least three of the following types of questions: multiple choice, true/false, fill-ins, and open-ended questions. | Your worksheets contain questions that provide students with a maximum opportunity to apply higher order thinking skills. Your answer key is correct. You have included all of the following types of questions: multiple choice, true/false, fill-ins, and open-ended questions. | |
| Presentation | Your group is unable to articulate and display a any understanding of the concept. No one on the team really speaks no one is able to answer questions posed by the audience. | Your group is able to articulate and display a minimal amount of understanding of the concept. One team member has a chance to speak and may not able to answer questions posed by the audience. | Your group is able to clearly articulate and display an understanding of the concept. Two team member have a chance to speak and are able to answer most questions posed by the audience. | Your group is able to clearly articulate and display an indepth understanding of the concept. Each team member has a chance to speak and is able to answer all questions posed by the audience. | |
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Total Score: |
Conclusion
Congratulations! Your school has won the grammar handbook challenge. After your publishing party you will hurry home to pack your bags and fly off to Disney!!
Here is your big chance to show what you have learned.
List six examples that show your ability to apply the grammar rules properly.
Respond in writing to the following questions:
1.What do you think? How has learning these grammar rules helped you to become a better writter?
2. What other topics might you and your peers add to the grammar book? Why?
3. What would you say to a student that is struggling with grammar? How would yoy be able to help them now that you are a grammar expert.
Remember the way you speak and write is important!
