Identifying Claims

What is the Claim?

Sophia Montoya, 11 from Phoenix, Arizona

It’s important to reward children for perfect attendance. A small
reward can go a long way. It encourages a habit of showing up.
When kids grow up and have a job, their paycheck will be their

reward. Aren’t the adults in our lives proof that this

encouragement works? Rewarding perfect attendance in school

helps instill this value in kids early on. And it adds to students’
sense of purpose. They’re not only learning and making friends,

they’re also being recognized for their efforts. I believe that

rewarding kids for attendance is a great way to motivate them

and help them develop good habits.

Poll

What is Sophia's Claim?

• A small reward can go a long way.

• Aren’t the adults in our lives proof that this encouragement works?

• I believe that rewarding kids for attendance is a great way to motivate them and help them develop good habits.

• When kids grow up and have a job, their paycheck will be their reward.

Claim:

I believe that rewarding kids for

attendance is a great way to motivate

them and help them develop good

habits.

Agree or Disagree?

What is the Claim?

Mark Shilakes, 11 from East Lansing, Michigan

Kids don’t have much control over when they’re able to come to

school. They can miss school because of illness or injury, or

even a family vacation. Have you ever been absent from school,

or late, and it was out of your control? The answer is probably

yes.

Kids should not be rewarded or penalized for things over which

they have no control. Just think: If you couldn’t be at school,
whatever the reason, it would be frustrating to lose out on an
attendance award. If there has to be a reward for something, it

should be for grades or paying attention in class.

Poll

What is Mark's Claim?

• Kids should not be rewarded or penalized for things over which they have no control.

• Have you ever been absent from school, or late, and it was out of your control?

• They can miss school because of illness or injury, or even a family vacation.

• The answer is probably yes.

  
  

Claim:

Kids should not be rewarded or penalized

for things over which they have no

control.

Agree or Disagree?

What is the Claim?

Dhruvan Dayan, 10 from Foster City, California

Rewarding perfect attendance is a way to reinforce a great life
skill. Kids should get into the habit of showing up every day. It

will help them in the future, when they’re going to work. A
reward system can also make students feel good about

themselves, and encourage those who usually come in late to
put in more effort to arrive on time. More time in school means
more learning. Of course, when a student is absent because of
illness, it shouldn’t be counted as an absence. That’s only fair.
Coming to school every day and on time is an essential skill. It

deserves to be rewarded.

Poll

What is Dhruvan's Claim?

• Kids should get into the habit of showing up every day.

• More time in school means more learning.

• Rewarding perfect attendance is a way to reinforce a great life skill.

• That’s only fair.

Claim:

Rewarding perfect attendance is a
way to reinforce a great life skill.

Agree or Disagree?

What is the Claim?

Shreya Jassi, 9 from Hicksville, New York

Kids shouldn’t be rewarded for attendance. Kids get sick, especially

during cold weather. When I got sick, I wished I’d stayed home. I

worried that my friends would get sick because of me.

There are other incentives to strive for perfect attendance. You
won’t miss out on fun projects. If you play an instrument in school,

you won’t miss practice. And there are the little things: the bad
jokes your teacher makes, and having classmates to talk to, and
to work and laugh with. These things are reward enough. So don’t

be sad if you don’t get an award for perfect attendance.

Poll

What is Shreya's Claim?

• You won’t miss out on fun projects.

• If you play an instrument in school, you won’t miss practice.

• Kids shouldn't be rewarded for attendance.

• When I got sick, I wished I’d stayed home.

Claim:

Kids shouldn't be rewarded for

attendance.

Agree or Disagree?