Article
ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM GARRETT (ART); SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (ALL IMAGES)
Debate,

Is It OK to Quit?

Leo says it’s OK to quit some things. Zoe does not agree! What do you think?

From the February 2021 Issue
Topic: English Language Arts, Social-emotional learning,
Common Core Standards
  • W.2. Write opinion pieces RI.2.8 Describe how reasons support the points the author makes in a text RI.2.10 Read grade-2-appropriate texts SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade-2 texts
TEKS Standards
  • Health
    (11) Personal/interpersonal skills. The student demonstrates critical-thinking, decision-making, goal-setting and problem-solving skills for making health-promoting decisions. The student is expected to: (A) explain steps in the decision-making process and the importance of following the steps.

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Yes!

Yes!

It is OK to quit.

It is OK to quit.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Leo

I want to quit piano lessons, and I think that’s OK. First of all, I just don’t like playing piano anymore. Why should I keep doing something that is not fun for me?

Also, I started playing piano when I was 5. It’s been two years. That’s a long time. I really tried my best. But now I’m done.

Finally, if I quit taking piano lessons, I’ll have time to find something I like more. Maybe I’ll learn how to play chess!

I want to quit piano lessons. I think that's OK. I don’t like playing the piano. Why do I have to do it?

I started playing piano when I was 5. I have played for two years. That’s a long time. I really tried my best.

I’ll have time to find something I like more if I quit. Maybe I’ll learn how to play chess!

No!

No!

It is not OK to quit.

It is not OK to quit.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Zoe

I play soccer, and I don’t think it’s OK to quit. I don’t love it every second I play. But I keep playing, and I end up having a lot of fun. There is nothing that is fun all of the time.

Also, I really like the other girls on my team. We work together. I don’t want to let them down.

Last, when you stick with something, you get better at it. I’m not the best player on my team. But that’s OK. The more I play, the better I get. It feels good to improve.

I play soccer. I don’t think it’s OK to quit. I don’t love soccer every second. But I keep playing. I end up having a lot of fun. There is nothing that is fun all of the time.

I really like the other girls on my team. We work together. I don’t want to let them down.

The more you practice, the better you get. I’m not the best player on my team. But that’s OK. It feels good to improve.

THINK AND WRITE: What do you think? Should kids get to choose their own bedtimes? Use the “Is It OK to Quit?" skills sheet to write what you think.

THINK AND WRITE: What do you think? Should kids get to choose their own bedtimes? Use the “Is It OK to Quit?" skills sheet to write what you think.

Activities (1)
Skills Activities
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Skills Activities
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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1. PREPARING TO READ

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

  • What is the topic of the debate? (Prompt students to use the debate title and the picture as clues.)
  • What are the two opinions people might have about this topic?

2. READING THE DEBATE

  • Read the debate as a class or divide the class into groups.
  • You can also have students read the debate as partners, with each student reading one side aloud.

3. DISCUSSING

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

  • Which opinion do you think makes the most sense?
  • What is your opinion? What information or argument helped you form your opinion?

 

4. WRITING

  • Pass out our opinion-writing printable (available in your Resources tab). Ask students to write their opinion in the top section.
  • Then students can underline three points in the debate that back up their opinion.
  • Last, they can complete our printable to show what their opinion is.

Text-to-Speech