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Syntax and Sentence Structure
Scavenger Hunt

Summary

In this literacy centre, grades 4 to 6 students will search through magazines, newspapers, and the internet to find examples of quotation marks for direct speech, capitalization in dialogue, and capital letters in titles, logos, and slogans. They will cut out or print their findings and glue them onto a poster, matching each example to the numbered scavenger hunt cards.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this centre, students will be able to:
  • Identify examples of the proper use of quotation marks for direct speech, the capitalization of words in dialogue, and the capitalization of titles, logos, and slogans;
  • Apply correct grammar rules by analyzing media sources to find examples and create a visual poster.

Material to Prepare

  • Appendix A: Scavenger Hunt Items
  • Appendix B: Example of Poster
  • Magazines and newspapers (paper form or online)
  • Access to the Internet
  • Posterboard
  • Pencils or pens
  • Art supplies (scissors, glue, rulers, markers, etc.)
  • Printer (optional for printing online content)

Procedure

Pre-Activity: Guided Example (Optional)
To help students distinguish between the different elements of this scavenger hunt, start with a quick example activity:
  • Direct Speech and Quotation Marks
    1. Write an example on the board: “I love reading,” said Sarah.
    2. Point out the quotation marks surrounding Sarah’s words and the capitalization of the first word inside the quotation marks.
    3. Ask students to note when quotation marks are used for direct speech versus when they aren’t necessary.
  • Capitalization in Titles, Logos, and Slogans
    1. Show examples of a title (e.g., The Secret Garden), a logo (e.g., Apple), and a slogan (e.g., Just Do It).
    2. Discuss why important words in these examples are capitalized and how this differs from regular sentences.
    3. Have students practice by choosing an example title or slogan and identifying which words should be capitalized.
  • Capitalization in Dialogue
    1. Explain how dialogue often starts with a capitalized word, especially when it’s the beginning of a sentence.
    2. Example: Write, He whispered, “Can you hear that?”
    3. Ask students to identify the capitalization and punctuation marks that are unique to dialogue.
Tip for Students:
Refer to these examples if you’re unsure which elements to look for in your scavenger hunt.
Activity: Scavenger Hunt - Instructions for Students
  • Scavenger Hunt Cards: You will find your Scavenger Hunt Cards in Appendix A.
  • Search: Using magazines, newspapers, and the internet, find the correct examples of quotation marks, capital letters for dialogue, and titles or slogans.
  • Cut or Print: Cut out the examples from the magazines/newspapers or print them from online sources.
  • Create a Poster: Glue the examples onto your poster board beside the corresponding number from the scavenger hunt card.
  • Exchange with a classmate and compare answers.

DIFFERENTIATION: Observing and providing support during analysis.

Possible Observation Intervention Strategies
Students have difficulty finding proper examples.

Provide additional guidance by offering a list of suggested websites or showing how to find magazine titles and quotes.

Students struggle with cutting or printing examples.

Offer assistance with cutting or provide preprinted resources from internet sources.

Some students finish early.

Challenge them to create their own original sentences with direct speech, capital letters, and slogans.

Appendixes

Download the Appendixes document

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