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The Empty Lot Debate: Whose Reason Is It? worksheet preview

Worksheet

The Empty Lot Debate: Whose Reason Is It?

Grade 3 opinion writing: two students give speeches about an empty lot. Sort their reasons, pick reasons for an opinion, and plan your own.

Grade 3ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toW.3.1.b

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 10 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 3
Subject
ELA
Question types
Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students tell which reasons support each of two different opinions.
  • Students choose reasons that support an opinion and spot one that does not.
  • Students write reasons that support their own opinion.

How to use

Read the two speeches aloud with partners taking each part. Students then answer the questions on their own and finish by planning their own speech.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

W.3.1.b

Give reasons that support the opinion.

Preview

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Name Date

The Empty Lot Debate: Whose Reason Is It?

Match reasons to the opinions they support.

Read the speeches

Two students spoke at a town meeting. Read what each one said.

Ideas for the Empty Lot

1The town of Willow Falls has an empty lot on Cedar Street. The town council asked kids to share their ideas for the lot. At the meeting, two third graders, Priya and Owen, each gave a short speech.

2Priya: I think the lot should become a dog park. Many families on Cedar Street have dogs, but there is no safe place nearby for dogs to run. A tall fence around the park would keep dogs out of the busy street.

3Priya: A dog park would also help neighbors meet each other. People could chat on benches while their dogs play together. My grandpa says he would go there every morning.

4Owen: I think the lot should become a basketball court. Right now, kids in our neighborhood ride the bus across town to find a court. A court on Cedar Street would be close enough to walk to.

5Owen: A court would also give older kids a place to practice after school. Basketball is a team game, so players learn to work together and cheer for each other.

6The council members thanked Priya and Owen for their ideas. They will vote on the lot next month.

Who gave each reason?

A reason tells why someone holds an opinion. Answer the questions about the speeches.

1.
Who gave each reason at the meeting? Sort the reasons.
Dogs need a safe place to run.Kids could walk there instead of riding a bus.Players learn to work as a team.Neighbors could chat and get to know each other.A fence would keep dogs out of the street.Older kids would have a place to practice.
Priya (dog park)Owen (basketball court)
2.
Which reason does Priya give in paragraph 3?
  • A. Dogs would stay away from the busy street.
  • B. Her grandpa could walk dogs for the neighbors.
  • C. Families would save money on dog toys.
  • D. Neighbors would meet while their dogs play.
3.
Read paragraph 4. Underline the sentence that tells the problem Owen wants to fix.

I think the lot should become a basketball court.Right now, kids in our neighborhood ride the bus across town to find a court.A court on Cedar Street would be close enough to walk to.

4.
In paragraph 3, why does Priya say that her grandpa would go to the park every morning?
  • A. To show that people would really use the park
  • B. To tell the council what time the park opens
  • C. To explain why the fence needs to be tall
  • D. To show that her grandpa has a lot of dogs

Find more reasons

Decide which reasons support each opinion. Then plan your own speech.

5.
Priya wants to add one more reason to her speech. Which sentence would support her opinion?
  • A. Some dogs have long, curly fur.
  • B. Dogs could run free without a leash.
  • C. Owen's friends need a place to practice.
  • D. The empty lot is on Cedar Street.
6.
A third student, Lena, thinks the lot should become a playground for little kids. Choose the TWO sentences that give reasons for Lena's opinion.
  • A. Dogs need a tall fence to keep them safe from cars.
  • B. Little kids could climb and slide close to home.
  • C. The town council meets on the first Monday of each month.
  • D. Basketball players learn to work together as a team.
  • E. Parents could sit on benches and watch their children.
7.
Ana wrote reasons for Owen's idea. One sentence does not support the opinion that the lot should become a basketball court. Underline that sentence.

A court would give kids a safe place to play after school.My aunt has a fluffy white cat named Snow.Shooting hoops is good exercise for arms and legs.Friends could meet at the court on weekends.

Your turn. What should go in the empty lot? Pick a dog park, a basketball court, or an idea of your own. Plan a short speech.
8.
Your opinion: Write one sentence that tells what you think the lot should become.
9.
Reason 1: Write a reason that supports your opinion.
10.
Reason 2: Write a new reason that Priya and Owen did not give.

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