Essay Kit: Lower Level
Use this organizer to help your students write a three-paragraph opinion essay on a debate topic.
English Version (PDF) / (Google Slides)
Spanish Version (PDF) / (Google Slides)
Debates En Español
Storyworks Bilingual: Debates in English and Spanish
Our engaging and thought-provoking debates are ideal for building a variety of important ELA skills, including speaking and listening, identifying main idea and supporting details, citing text evidence, and opinion-writing. Available in both English and Spanish, this collection of debates will serve as excellent linguistic support and scaffolding for the Spanish-speaking students in your classroom.
In this collection you'll find:
Ten Debates: Storyworks debates in Spanish and English
A Teaching Guide: Teaching Tips and Standards (TEKS and Common Core)
Writing Support: An opinion-writing organizer and toolkit in Spanish and English
Writing Support
Allow Chewing Gum In School?
The students in Mr. Parker's class think they should
be able to chew gum in school. But their principal
isn't so sure. Who makes the better argument?
Would You Give Up Your
Birthday Presents?
More and more kids are saying no to gifts and asking their friends
to donate to charities instead. Is this a passing trend
or a new tradition?
Is It Good to Be BORED
Sometimes?
Having nothing to do can feel like torture.
But could being bored actually be important? Read arguments on both sides and then take a stand.
Finders Keepers
Should you keep money you find on the street?
Two kids face off in the debate.
Is It OK to Sneak Food Into the Movies?
Movie snack prices are out of control. Does that mean you
should bring your own treats? Students will read arguments
on both sides and then take a stand.
Should We Get Rid of
Paper Money?
Cash seems to be on its way out. Is that a good thing?
Would You Take a Trip To Space?
Ordinary people might soon be able to shoot into space. Is this a dream
come true—or a disaster waiting to happen?
Should Plastic Straws Be Banned?
Plastic straws make drinking easier and more fun, but they’re also
a big threat to sea animals. Should they be outlawed?
How Can You Help When Someone Is Being Bullied?
Small steps can help.
Image Credits: How Can You Help When Someone Is Being Bullied?: C.B. CANGA; Should Plastic Straws Be Banned?: FERNANDO TRABANCO FOTOGRAFÍA/GETTY IMAGES (BIRD); Would You Take a Trip to Space?: CAROLYN RIDSDALE (Astronaut and rocket); Zakharchuk/Shutterstock.com (Background); Should We Get Rid of Paper Money?: Illustration by Eddie Guy; Is It OK to Sneak Food Into the Movies?: RJ MATSON; Finders Keepers: JOHN CORBITT; Is It Good to Be BORED Sometimes?: Daryll Collins; Would You Give Up Your Birthday Presents?: PK-PHOTOS/E+/GETTY IMAGES; Allow Chewing Gum in School?: ELISABETH SCHMITT/GETTY IMAGES; Should You Go Screen-Free for a Week? ISTOCKPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Text-to-Speech