Image of kid swinging on tire swing outdoors and kid playing videogames inside
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale; Shutterstock.com
Debate,

Outdoor Play vs. Video Games

Malik thinks the playground is the place to play. Camila prefers video games. Whose side are you on?

By Alessandra Potenza
From the September 2025 Issue
Featured Skill: Supporting an Argument,
Common Core Standards
  • R.1, R.2, R.6, R.8, W.1, W.4, W.10, SL.1, SL.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 2-3
    1a, 1c, 1d, 5a, 6b, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 9e, 11a, 11b, 11c, 12b

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Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Dear Camila,

I can’t wait to hang out on Saturday! I know we are planning to play video games. But I have a better idea: Why don’t we play outside instead? 

Experts say kids should exercise for an hour every day. Why? It helps us stay healthy! Exercise builds strong bones and muscles. It also helps lower stress and improve memory. We spend so much time sitting during school. Wouldn’t it be more fun to swing, slide, or climb the jungle gym than to sit on a couch and stare at a screen? 

Plus, Saturday will be sunny! Soaking up the sun and breathing fresh air are good for our mood and health too.

Nintendo

I also read an article that says kids build important skills on the playground. We have to be creative to come up with new games. We also have to get along with other kids. And who knows? We could even make new friends. My sister met her bestie on the playground!

So let’s meet at the park on Saturday!

Your playground-loving pal,

Malik

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Dear Malik, 

I’m also excited for Saturday! But I’m not sure about meeting at the playground. 

We already get a lot of exercise during PE and recess. Why can’t we spend our free time doing what we love most? For me, that’s playing Mario Kart games, not Frisbee. 

Video games can be active too. Take the game Just Dance, for example. Research shows that you can work up just as much of a sweat playing these types of games as you would outside.

I also read a study about playgrounds. It said they can be risky. Every year, more than 200,000 kids at playgrounds in the U.S. end up at the doctor. Why? They have an accident, like falling off swings or slides. I’ve never heard of a Minecraft accident!

Nintendo

Besides, video games help us build key skills too. Among Us has taught me to work with my teammates. And Mario Kart games have shown me that it’s OK to lose. There’s always another race!

How about we start with Just Dance on Saturday?


Your favorite gamer,

Camila

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What do you think?

Go back to the letters and 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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Can't Miss Teaching Extras

To have screen time or not to have screen time? Continue the conversation with “Should Lulu Have a Phone?,” a debate that explores the pros and cons of third-graders having phones.

Have your classroom weigh in on other video game debates: “Is TikTok Good for Kids?” and “Is Fortnite OK for Kids?” Afterward, click on the Resources Tab for an opinion writing activity.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

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