Article
Art by Tom Garrett (Debate); Shutterstock.com (All Images)
Debate,

Should Everyone Get a Trophy?

Ethan thinks kids should get a trophy for just being on a team. Maya thinks that’s not a good idea. What do you think?

From the May 2022 Issue
Guided Reading Level: M
Lexile Level: 470L
DRA Level: 16-18
Featured Skill: Write Opinion Pieces, Participate in Conversations,
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

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Yes!

Kids should get a trophy for being on the team.

Art by Tom Garrett (Debate); Shutterstock.com (All Images)

I play soccer and basketball. I have so many trophies! I love them. I love to show my friends.

I’m not the best player on my teams. But my trophies make me feel great. They make me want to keep playing sports—even when I don’t get a goal or make a basket.

That’s a good thing because sports help me stay strong and healthy.

Also, no one on the team feels left out. There isn’t one star who always gets the trophy. We all do. We’re a team, after all.

No!

Kids should not get a trophy just for being on the team.

Art by Tom Garrett (Debate); Shutterstock.com (All Images)

I’m on the swim team. I have one trophy just for showing up. But I have another trophy for winning a race. And that trophy means more to me than the other. It doesn’t feel as special when everyone gets a trophy.

It’s OK if I don’t win a race and I don’t get a trophy. It makes me want to do better next time!

I don’t feel left out when someone else gets a trophy. Our coach is really nice. She gives us all a pat on the back if we win or lose. She doesn’t need to give us a trophy to show she cares.

Activities (2)
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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