Introduction

There is truth in the saying that one person can't know everything. However, the combined knowledge of many people may get you closer to knowing everything! To help you in your desire for learning, this webquest has been created. The topic that you and your partners will be exploring is 'The Parts of Speech.' Read the following scenario. It will tell you who you will be in this quest.
You have been asked to teach the parts of speech to a group of your peers. Your teacher has been on vacation in Aruba, and she's decided not to come back! The kids have to know the parts of speech, though, before they can graduate to high school. They have confidence in you guys that you can find the resources they need to learn these essential parts of the English language. When you have finished your webquests, you should be experts on the parts of speech and should be comfortable enough to teach other 8th grade English students. Good Luck!

The Quest

What are the functions of the parts of speech in the English language?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Parts of Speech. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one of the 8 parts of speech.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions: What are the 8 parts of speech? What are their functions in the English language?
Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

• Writing Tip: Sentence Builder - Click on the link to your part of speech. This website offers simple explanations of the parts of speech. Be sure to do further research beyond this, though, so that you gain a deeper understanding of the parts of speech.
• E info Web - Great comprehensive site on the 8 parts of speech! Find out what IVANCAPP means and how it can help you! This site also provides worksheets and quizzes (with answers) to help in your understanding of the 8 parts of speech.
• Interlink Language Center - Very good site on the 8 parts of speech. Definitions and examples are included, as well as interactive quizzes. Be sure to click on the link that takes you to your specific part(s) of speech.
• Grammar Gorillas: Beginner Game - This is a cute game that reviews the functions of nouns and verbs. There are defintions for all of the parts of speech, but the game itself only reviews two types of them.
• The Parts of Speech - Great site on the parts of speech! Before you click to your specific link, read the introduction page. It will give you information on the roles parts of speech play in sentence structure. There is a quiz that you can take on the parts of speech once you are finished learning about them.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Research the function of nouns and pronouns.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #1:

1. What is the function of nouns?
2. What are common and proper nouns? Give examples of each.
3. What are the categories of nouns? Give examples of each.
4. What is the function of pronouns?
5. What are personal pronouns? Give examples.
6. What are reflexive pronouns? Give examples.
7. What are intensive pronouns? Give examples.
8. What are interrogative pronouns? Give examples.
9. What are demonstrative pronouns? Give examples.
10. What are relative pronouns? Give examples.
11. What are reciprocal pronouns? Give examples.

• Nouns - Provides the defintion and function of nouns. Also includes an interactive quiz!
• Pronouns - Provides the defintion and function of pronouns. Also includes an interactive quiz!

Research the function of adverbs and adjectives.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #2:
1. What is the function of adjectives?
2. What are examples of adjectives?
3. What are the degrees of adjectives? Give examples of each degree.
4. What are the categories of adjectives? Give examples of each category.
5. What is the function of adverbs?
6. What questions do adverbs answer?
7. What are examples of adverbs?
8. With what letters do adverbs usually end?

• Adjectives - Gives the definition and function of adjectives. Also includes an interactive quiz!
• Adverbs - Gives the definition and function of adverbs. Also includes an interactive quiz!

Research the function of verbs.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #3:

1. What is the function of verbs?
2. What are the four verb forms? Give examples of each.
3. What is a linking verb? Give examples.
4. What are irregular verbs? Give examples.
5. What do linking verbs link? Give examples of linking verbs.
6. What are verbals? Give examples.

• Verbs - Gives the definition and function of verbs. Also includes an interactive quiz!

Reserach the function of prepositions, interjections and conjunctions.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #4:
1.What is the function of conjunctions?
2. What are coordinating conjunctions? Give examples.
3. What are correlative conjunctions? Give examples.
4. What are subordinating conjunctions? Give examples.
5. What is the function of interjections?
6. What two punctuation marks can come after interjections?
7. Give examples of strong and mild interjections.
8. What is the function of prepositions?
9. Give examples of prepositions.
10. How is a prepositional phrase created? Give examples.

• Conjunctions - Gives the defintion and funtions of conjunctions. Also includes an interactive quiz!
• Interjections - Gives the defintion and funtions of interjections. Also includes an interactive quiz!
• Prepositions - Gives the defintion and funtions of prepositions. Also includes an interactive quiz!

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of the Parts of Speech. Now, group members should come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one of the four perspectives. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.

STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).

4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a copy.

Your Contact is: English Club Help Desk

Conclusion

Okay, even after all of that research with your teammates, perhaps it still isn't possible to know everything. To understand a topic as broad or complex as the Parts of Speech is quite challenging. No matter how much you learn, there is still so much more to know! However, you all should be proud of yourselves! You have accomplished quite a task, and, trust me, teaching eighth graders is not easy!
Now, how can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other aspects of the Parts of Speech could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops!