LA Skills- Evaluating Ideas

Passage 1: Longer Recess (Questions 1-5)

At Lakeside Elementary, many students wanted more time for recess. One group suggested adding ten extra minutes by cutting ten minutes from math class. Another group suggested having recess after lunch instead of before. The principal listened to both ideas and asked teachers and parents to share their thoughts before deciding.

Which idea might cause a bigger problem for learning?

• Moving recess after lunch

• Cutting ten minutes from math class

• Having recess on the playground

• Asking teachers to share ideas

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

Why could moving recess after lunch be a good idea?

• Students would eat faster

• Students would miss less schoolwork

• Students could use recess to burn energy before returning to class

• It would make lunch shorter

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What does the principal’s choice to ask teachers and parents for input show?

• She valued hearing different ideas before making a decision

• She wanted to avoid recess completely

• She had already made up her mind

• She disliked both student ideas

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which idea seems most fair to both students and teachers?

• Cancel recess altogether

• Always cutting math class for recess

• Moving recess after lunch, so learning time is not lost

• Letting only some students have longer recess

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What conclusion can be drawn about evaluating ideas?

• The first idea is always best

• Students should always get what they want

• Good ideas are ones that solve problems without creating new ones

• Teachers should not be part of decisions

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Passage 2: School Fundraiser (Questions 6-10)

The student council wanted to raise money for new library books. One student suggested selling candy every day at lunch. Another suggested holding a weekend car wash. Teachers worried that selling candy every day was unhealthy. Parents liked the car wash idea because it could bring the community together. The council had to decide which idea to use.

Why might selling candy every day be a weak idea?

• Students do not like candy

• It would not raise any money

• It requires too many cars

• It could be unhealthy if done daily

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

What strength does the car wash idea have compared to the candy idea?

• It raises less money

• It takes no effort to plan

• It involves families and the community

• It can only happen during school lunch

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

What does the teachers’ reaction to the candy idea show?

• They don’t want students to raise money

• They are concerned about students’ health

• They dislike sweets

• They prefer no new library books

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Which idea seems better for long-term success?

• Hosting a community car wash

• Selling candy daily

• Asking parents for donations only

• 4. Skipping the fundraiser altogether

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What conclusion can be drawn from evaluating both ideas?

• The candy idea is always best

• Neither idea is useful

• The car wash is healthier and builds community support

• Students should not raise money at all

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3