Lesson Plan - Should Schools Ban Phones?

Watch the Video
Play the video “Digital Decisions: Pause Before You Post.” Then discuss: Which situation in the video do you think is the hardest one to handle? Why?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• implement 
• engaged

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about some reasons schools may not allow kids to have phones in class.

1. What does the author mean when he writes that “it’s not just districts that are making the change”?
When the author writes that “it’s not just districts that are making the change,” he means that in some cases, whole states are putting bans in place. The author says, “Florida, Indiana, and Ohio have passed statewide laws limiting phone use in public schools. Other states are considering similar laws.”
^{(RI.4.1 Inference)}

2. Why does Christopher Knox say that his school cafeteria gets very loud during lunch?
Christopher Knox says that his school cafeteria gets very loud during lunch because kids are talking with each other instead of looking at their phones. Knox explains his meaning when he says, “I love that the students are actually talking to each other!”
^{(RI.4.2 Key Details)}

3. Based on the article, how might allowing phones in schools make life easier for many families?
The article suggests that allowing phones in schools makes life easier for many families by giving them a way to communicate throughout the day. The article gives examples of a student’s parents texting him if a pickup plan has changed or if he forgot his lunch.
^{(RI.4.5 Cause/Effect)}

FEATURED SKILL: Opinion Writing
Use the skill builder “Let Me Convince You!” to guide students in organizing their arguments for a persuasive essay on the debate topic. Have students pair up to revise and edit their essays. Consider having students send their final essays to school administrators.
^{(W.4.1 Opinion Writing)}