a side by side image of a child awake in bed and a child asleep in bed
ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM GARRETT; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (ALL OTHER IMAGES)
Debate,

Who Should Decide on Bedtime?

Anna says kids should pick their own bedtimes. Ben doesn’t agree. What do you think?

From the September 2020 Issue
Topic: Social Studies, English Language Arts,
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, goalsetting and problem-solving skills for making healthpromoting decisions. The student is expected to: (B) describe how personal-health decisions affect self and others; (D) explain why obtaining help, especially from parents/ trusted adults, can be helpful when making decisions about personal health.

Magazine View

Lexile® measure

  • On Level
  • Lower Level
Download and Print
Lower Level
clickable image of nosey, the dachshund, with instructions to click and listen to the article

Kids!

Kids should pick their own bedtimes.

an illustration of a child dancing

ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM GARRETT; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (ALL OTHER IMAGES)

First of all, parents shouldn’t treat kids like babies. I’m not a baby. I’m 7!

Next, I know myself. I can tell when I’m sleepy.

Finally, I will learn to be responsible if I pick my own bedtime. How will I learn to be responsible if my parents make my choices for me?

Adults!

Adults should pick kids’ bedtimes.

illustration of a child holding a pillow

ILLUSTRATIONS BY TOM GARRETT; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (ALL OTHER IMAGES)

First, kids don’t always make good choices. I think most kids would stay up really late.

Then, kids would not want to wake up in the morning. They would be too tired.

Last, people learn better when they get a lot of sleep. If kids could choose their own bedtimes, they might not do well in school. What a nightmare!

THINK AND WRITE: What do you think? Should kids get to choose their own bedtimes? Use the “Who Decides Bedtime?" skills sheet to write what you think.

Multimedia
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? (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. 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.

More From This Issue

View All
  • photo of a baby cheetah

    Words & Pictures

    One Cat, Five Facts

    You’re going to read an article about a cheetah. Here are five facts to know first.
  • an illustration of kids thinking of popsicle bridges

    Fiction

    The Popsicle Stick Bridge

    A school project helps Jen see her partner in a new light.
  • illustration of two kids looking at one another

    Poetry Kit

    Shy

    Read an emotional poem about two kids forming a surprising friendship.
Text-to-Speech