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Should Jen Try Something New?

Jen is starting third grade, and she needs to decide which activity to sign up for. She can join the soccer team for the third year in a row or try the robotics club. She asked two friends to help her decide. Whose side are you on?

From the September 2023 Issue

Lexile: 500L-600L

Guided Reading Level: N

Featured Skill: Supporting an Argument,

Dear Jen,

Remember our big soccer game last fall? It was tied 1-1. And then you scored the winning goal! It was the best Friday afternoon. And it happened because of you!

This year will be even better than last. Sticking with an activity means you’ll continue to practice and improve. I bet you’ll score even more goals this season. As we keep working on our passing and teamwork skills, we’ll keep getting better as a group too.

Plus, I know how much you love soccer. You won the team spirit award last year. Don’t you want to stay with an activity you’re already crazy about? Robotics might be boring. After all, it’s nothing like soccer. There’s no running, no kicking, and definitely no goals!

Besides, we became such good friends on the team last year. Since you and I are in different classes this year, soccer is the only time we can hang out.

So will you join us for another awesome season?

Your soccer friend,

Connor

Dear Jen,

I heard that you are interested in joining the robotics club with me. That’s so exciting!

I know you are probably nervous to leave the soccer team. It can be scary to try new activities! But think about when you first started playing soccer. You were probably nervous then too, and you wound up loving the sport. I bet you’ll love the robotics club too!

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to try something new. If you only stick with what you know, you might miss out on an activity that’s even more fun . . . like the robotics club. When else will you get the chance to build your very own robot?

Sure, you could find out that robotics isn’t for you. But at least you’ll meet new people. I made so many new friends last year! Plus, this will be the perfect chance for us to get to know each other better.

So what do you say? Will you take a chance and join robotics with me?

Your new robotics pal,

Fiona

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What do you think?

After reading the letters, write down reasons to support each side of the debate. Then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.

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Activities (2)

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Answer Key (1)

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Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

Can't Miss Teaching Extras

Have your classroom weigh in on other school-related debates: “Should Recess Be Longer,” “Should Pop-Its Be Allowed in Class,” and “Should Students Have Assigned Seats in the Cafeteria? Afterward, click on the Resources Tab for in-depth Skill Builders (including an opinion-writing activity).

1. PREPARING TO READ

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

What is the topic of the debate? (Students can use the debate title and subhead as clues.)

What do you think the two sides of the issue are?

2. READING THE DEBATE

Read the debate as a class or in small groups.

Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to mark the types of support the author presents to back up each side, including:

Facts and statistics (F/S)

Quotes from experts (Q)

Stories or examples (EX)

3. DISCUSSING

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

What is your opinion? What evidence do you find the most convincing?

For more-advanced students: Do you think the author agrees with one point of view more than the other on this issue? What is your evidence?

4. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Distribute the “Opinion Writing Kit” skill builder which guides students to write a three- paragraph essay on the debate topic.

OR

Stage a classroom debate, offering students practice speaking in front of a group.

For more-advanced students: Have each side conduct additional research for the debate.

5. CHECK COMPREHENSION

Have students complete the comprehension quiz.

6. PARTICIPATE IN THE ONLINE POLL

Students can vote for which side they support and see what other Storyworks 3 readers think in our online poll at Storyworks 3 Digital.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARD

RI.1, RI.2, RI.6, RI.8, W.1, W.4, W.10, SL.1

Text-to-Speech