Article
Courtesy of Adidas (sneaker). Illustrations by John Corbitt.
Debate Scavenger Hunt,

Should Eddie Buy These Sneakers?

Eddie wants to buy an expensive pair of Adidas sneakers. His mom thinks it’s a bad idea. Who makes the best argument?

From the March 2018 Issue

Learning Objective: to analyze and evaluate two opposing argument essays

Complexity Factors
  • Purpose
    This debate has a clear purpose: to present arguments for and against buying expensive brand-name products.
  • Structure
    The debate consists of two letters, one from a boy to his mom explaining why he wants to buy a pair of expensive Adidas sneakers, and the other from the boy’s mom explaining why she thinks he should not buy the shoes.
  • Language Conventionality and Clarity
    Vocabulary: some challenging academic vocabulary (e.g., correlate, derive, practical) Figurative language: rhetorical questions
  • Knowledge Demands
    Familiarity with Adidas NMD sneakers and their popularity may aid in comprehension, but is not required.
Lexile: 820L
Featured Skills: Argument Writing,
Topic: Social Issues,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.1, R.2, R.4, R.6, W.1, W.4, W.5, L.4, L.6
  • Grade 6
    RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, RI.6.6, W.6.1, W.6.4, W.6.5, SL.6.1, L.6.4, L.6.5
  • Grade 7
    RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4, RI.7.6, W.7.1, W.7.4, W.7.5, SL.7.1, L.7.4, L.7.5
  • Grade 8
    RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4, RI.8.6, , W.8.1, W.8.4, W.8.5, SL.8.1, L.8.4, L.8.5
TEKS Standards
  • Grade 6
    6.1; 6.2; 6.11; 6.14; 6.18; 6.19; 6.26, 6.27
  • Grade 7
    7.1, 7.2e, 7.11; 7.14; 7.18; 7.19; 7.26, 7.27
  • Grade 8
    8.1, 8.2e, 8.11; 8.14; 8.18; 8.19; 8.26, 8.27

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Activities (8)
Core Skills Workout
  • The Core Skills Workout is a series of skill-based activities that will help your students "bulk up" in the comprehension skills they need most to become strong, analytical readers. The Core Skills Workout comes with every issue and will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence.
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Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
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Activities (8) Download All Activities
Core Skills Workout
  • The Core Skills Workout is a series of skill-based activities that will help your students "bulk up" in the comprehension skills they need most to become strong, analytical readers. The Core Skills Workout comes with every issue and will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence.
Reference
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Dig Deeper With These Texts
Additional Texts for “Yes”

Guiding Question: How could this information be used to strengthen the argument FOR buying brand-name products?

 

Additional Text for “No”

Guiding Question: How could this information be used to strengthen the argument AGAINST buying brand-name products?

 

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

Download the Lesson Plan

1. PREPARING TO READ

  • Give students a minute to preview the text features­—the headlines, illustrations or photos, any charts or graphs, etc. Ask students what they think the article is going to be about.
  • Project the Vocabulary Definitions.
  • Follow up with the Vocabulary Activity to practice using the words that are highlighted in bold in the debate.

2. READING AND TEXT MARKING

  • Read both texts once through as a class.
  • Ask: “No matter what you personally think about the issue, which author do you think makes the better argument?” Take a poll and tally the results on the board.
  • Project the first text. For this text only, have students complete the Scavenger Hunt box at the end of the article, modeling text marking on your whiteboard while students mark their magazines. Or print and distribute the Scavenger Hunt graphic organizer to help students develop their arguments. Note that a lower-level version of the graphic organizer that does not include counterargument is available.
  • Have students complete the Scavenger Hunt box in the magazine and/or the Scavenger Hunt graphic organizer for the second text in small groups.

3. DISCUSS

As a class, discuss the question at the end of the Scavenger Hunt: Who makes the stronger argument? Then ask:
        1. What do the authors agree about? What do they disagree about?
        2. How do the images support each author’s argument?
        3. What is each author’s tone? Explain your answer.

4. DEBATE

As a class, discuss the question at the end of the Scavenger Hunt: Who makes the stronger argument? Then ask:
        1. What do the authors agree about? What do they disagree about?
        2. How do the images support each author’s argument?
        3. What is each author’s tone? Explain your answer.

5. WRITING

  • Have students work individually to complete the Essay Kit guided-writing activity to write an argument essay supporting their points of view. Students can use the Argument Essay Checklist to evaluate and edit their essays.
  • If they are provided, use the extension resources provided in the “Resource” tab that bring in other articles to deepen the conversation. NOTE: Extra resources are not provided with every debate.  
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