Article

Art by RJ Matson (Medal, Trophies); Shutterstock.com (Background)

Should Everyone Get a Trophy?

Do participation awards encourage kids or send the wrong message?

By The Editors of Storyworks

From the March/April 2025 Issue

Featured Skill: Supporting an Argument,

Walk into Lucas’s bedroom and you might think you’re in a sports hall of fame. It’s filled with trophies! Little League trophies line the shelves. Basketball trophies and swim ribbons cover the dresser. A football trophy props open the door.

But Lucas is no athletic superstar. In fact, he doesn’t consider himself an athlete at all! Like many kids, Lucas received his trophies by simply showing up to practices and games. And he has just as many awards as the school’s star athletes.

Some people wonder: Is this fair?

Focus on Fun

Participation trophies have been around since the 1920s. The point was to take the spotlight away from winning and put it on other values. These include teamwork and commitment, or sticking with something. Many people today say that’s why participation awards are still needed.

“Winning isn’t everything,” says Kenneth Barish. He’s a scientist who studies kids’ feelings and behavior. He says it’s important to show kids that trying hard and improving matter too.

Plus, research shows that praising effort has big benefits. This encouragement makes it easier for kids to try new things, learn from their mistakes, and take on challenges with a positive attitude.

Participation trophies can also motivate kids to keep playing even if they’re not stars. That helps kids get exercise, as well as focus on having fun!

Not Fair

But some people worry that giving trophies to everyone sends the wrong message. After all, you don’t get an A just for going to class. Participation trophies could teach kids to expect awards just for showing up.

Going home without a trophy can also encourage kids to keep working toward a goal. “It takes time to be good at something—and that’s OK,” says Ashley Merryman. She’s an author who writes about winning and losing.

Plus, some experts say that trophies aren’t as special when everyone gets one. Why? Many believe giving trophies to everyone takes attention away from the winning team.

One small study asked 11- and 12-year-olds what they think. The results were almost evenly split! While 54 percent of kids said only winners should receive trophies, the remaining 46 percent said everyone deserves an award.

What do you think?

What does your class think?

Should everyone get a trophy?

Please enter a valid number of votes for one class to proceed.

Should everyone get a trophy?

Please select an answer to vote.

Should everyone get a trophy?

0%

0votes

{{result.answer}}

Total Votes: 0

Thank you for voting!

Sorry, an error occurred and your vote could not be processed. Please try again later.

What do you think?

Go back to the article and write down reasons to support each side of the argument. Then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.

Audio ()

Activities (2)

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

Audio ()

Activities (2)

Download All Quizzes and Activities

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

Can't Miss Teaching Extras

Have your students weigh in on other sports-related debates like “Is Football Too Dangerous for Kids?,” “Would You Want to Be an Olympic Athlete?,” and “Are Trampoline Parks Safe?” 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