Illustration of two students in a classroom
Illustration by Tom Garrett (Art); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)
Debate,

Should Pop Its Be Allowed in Class?

Aria thinks Pop Its should be allowed in class. James does not agree! What do you think?

From the December 2022/January 2023 Issue
Featured Skill: Write Opinion Pieces, Participate in Conversations,
Topic: Social Studies, English Language Arts,
Common Core Standards
  • Casel Social-emotional Learning Focus Relationship Skills: Communicating effectively 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!

First, Pop Its are really fun to play with. They make me happy in class. Isn’t it great to be happy in class?

Next, Pop Its use up my extra energy. They calm me down so that I can focus better in class.  

Last, Pop Its help me make friends. I can go up and ask to see someone’s Pop It. Pop Its helped me talk to someone new. 

No!

First, Pop Its are for playtime. Class is time for learning. Pop Its don’t belong there. 

Next, I think Pop Its are loud! They make it hard for me to pay attention. They are distracting in class.

Last, people share their Pop Its with each other. That means a lot of kids touch the Pop Its. The toys get dirty. Yuck!

Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Activities (2) Download All Quizzes and Activities
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 in small 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 small 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.

Text-to-Speech