A girl smiling while carrying a flute with a bunch of other instruments in background
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Debate,

Is It OK to Quit?

Jordan wants to quit the clarinet. Alex doesn’t think she should. Whose side are you on?

From the February 2021 Issue
Lexile: 500L-600L, 600L-700L
Featured Skill: Main Idea and Supporting Details,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.1, R.2, R.8, W.1
  • Grade 4
    RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.8, W.4.1
  • Grade 5
    RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.8, W.5.1
  • Grade 6
    RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.8, W.6.1
TEKS Standards
  • Grade 4
    4.1a, c, d; 4.6f, g, h; 4.7a, b, c, g; 4.9e; 4.11; 4.12c
  • Grade 5
    5.1a, c, d; 5.6f, g, h; 5.7a, b, c, g; 5.9e; 5.11; 5.12c
  • Grade 6
    6.1a, c, d; 6.5f, g, h; 6.6a, b, c, g; 6.8e; 6.10; 6.11c

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Lexile® measure

  • 600L-700L
  • 500L-600L
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Reading Level (500L-600L)

Directions 

Read the article, then answer the questions below.

Directions 

Read the article, then answer the questions below.

Dear Alex,

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You know that clarinet Mom bought me? I haven’t touched it in weeks. The truth is, I just don’t enjoy playing the clarinet anymore. No matter how much I practice, I’m not getting any better. (Actually, I might even be getting worse. Admit it: My playing sounds like an angry cat screeching.) I think it’s time to quit!

You know that clarinet Mom bought me? I haven’t touched it in weeks. Here’s the truth. I just don’t enjoy playing the clarinet anymore. I practice a lot, but I’m not getting any better. (Actually, I might even be getting worse. Admit it: My playing sounds like an angry cat screeching.) I think it’s time to quit!

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I know people say that “quitters never win, and winners never quit.” But I also know that playing the clarinet doesn’t make me happy. Why should I waste my free time on an activity that I don’t care about?

Plus, every time I practice, I get frustrated. Quitting will make me more relaxed. It will also give me time to figure out what my REAL passion is. Who knows? Maybe I’m meant to be a soccer star! Or a skateboard champion! Or a famous artist!

You always say that part of growing up is choosing how to spend your time. Well, I’m choosing to look for an activity that I really love. I think the best thing to do is to sell my clarinet to someone who actually wants it and to try something new. Don’t you?


Love,

Jordan

I know what people say. “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” But playing the clarinet doesn’t make me happy. Why should I waste my free time on an activity that I don’t care about?

Plus, every time I practice, I get frustrated. Quitting will make me more relaxed. It will also give me time to figure out what my REAL passion is. Who knows? Maybe I’m meant to be a soccer star! Or a skateboard champion! Or a famous artist!

You always say that part of growing up is choosing how to spend your time. Well, I’m choosing to look for an activity that I really love. I think the best thing to do is to sell my clarinet and try something new. Don’t you?


Love,

Jordan

Dear Jordan,

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I’m sorry to hear that you’re tired of the clarinet. You always sounded pretty good to me! (The only screeching cat I’ve ever heard is Baxter next door.)

I get that it’s annoying to feel like you’re not improving. But as your older (and wiser!) sibling, I encourage you to keep trying. Choosing how to spend your time is definitely part of growing up, but so is learning to persevere—to keep doing something even when it’s difficult. This will help you get through other challenges in life.

I’m sorry to hear that you’re tired of the clarinet. You always sounded pretty good to me! (The only screeching cat I’ve ever heard is Baxter next door.)

I get that it’s annoying to feel like you’re not improving. But I’m your older (and wiser!) brother. And I think you should keep trying. Choosing how to spend your time is definitely part of growing up. But so is learning to keep doing something—even when it’s difficult. This will help you get through other challenges in life.

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Remember how much I used to hate ballet? I wanted to quit, but I’m so glad I didn’t! Even though I don’t do ballet anymore, it brought me to tap dance, my favorite activity. And I met some of my best friends at ballet practice. The clarinet could do the same for you! You’ll never know what you’re missing out on if you give up.

Besides, you might get bored of soccer or skateboarding in a few years. I bet you’ll be glad you have your clarinet then. I really think you should stick with it.


Love,

Alex

Remember how much I used to hate ballet? I wanted to quit. But I’m so glad I didn’t! Even though I don’t do ballet anymore, it brought me to tap dance. That’s my favorite activity. And I met some of my best friends at ballet practice. The clarinet could do the same for you! You’ll never know what you’re missing out on if you give up.

Besides, you might get bored of soccer or skateboarding in a few years. I bet you’ll be glad you have your clarinet then. I really think you should stick with it.


Love,

Alex

Should Jordan quit the clarinet?

Jordan and her brother both give reasons that support their arguments. Find three reasons in each letter and write them down. Use these details in an opinion essay about whether it's OK to quit.

Should Jordan quit the clarinet?

Jordan and her brother both give reasons that support their arguments. Find three reasons in each letter and write them down. Use these details in an opinion essay about whether it's OK to quit.

This article was originally published in the February 2021 issue.

This article was originally published in the February 2021 issue.

Audio ()
Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Quizzes (1)
Answer Key (1)
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Activities (2) Download All Activities
Skills Activities
Quizzes (1)
Answer Key (1)

More About the Story

Complexity Factors

Purpose

The debate presents arguments for and against quitting activities that kids participate in.

Structure

The text consists of two letters: one from a girl to her brother explaining why she wants to quit the clarinet, and the other from the brother giving reasons why she should stick with it.

Language

The language is mainly conversational. It includes one simile. It also includes the word persevere, which is defined in the text.

Knowledge Demands 

No special knowledge is necessary.

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 heading on the chart as clues.)
  • What do you think are the two sides of the issue?

2. Reading the Debate 

Read the debate as a class or in small groups.  A lower-Lexile version is available on Storyworks Digital. 

Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to mark the types of support the author presents to back up each side, including:

  • Facts and statistics (F/S)
  • Quotes from experts (Q)
  • Stories or examples (EX)

3. Discussing

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

  • Which evidence is most effective in supporting each side?
  • Is one side stronger than the other? Why?
  • What is your opinion? What evidence do you find the most convincing?
  • For more-advanced students: Do you think the author has a preferred point of view on this issue? What is your evidence?

4. Writing

Have students complete the chart in the magazine.

Distribute the activity “Write an Opinion Essay” (available in your Resources tab).  The lower-level version guides students to write a three-paragraph essay on the debate topic. The higher-level version prompts them to bring in additional evidence and write six paragraphs, including a rebuttal of the other side. With either version, hand out our Opinion Writing Toolkit, which offers writing tips and transition words.

Text-to-Speech