Lesson Plan - Assigned Seating in the Lunchroom?

Scaffold Understanding
Point out that the article is organized as a debate. It presents a question, then gives arguments on opposing sides. 

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

• cliques
• alleviate

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them assess which argument they find more convincing. 

1. Based on the article, what does the word policy mean? What context clue helps you know?
The article describes schools giving students assigned seats in the lunchroom as a policy. This helps readers understand that a policy is a type of rule.
^{R.4 Vocabulary}

2. In the article, Suzanne Rice says, “It’s good to step out of your comfort zone.” What does she mean?
Rice means that it is good to try new things. Some kids might choose to always sit with the same classmates, with whom they’re comfortable. Assigned seating gets them to sit with new people.
^{R.1 Text Evidence}

3. Why do some people argue that assigned seating does little to reduce lunchtime stress?
They argue that kids who are assigned to sit together might not get along and that shy students may be uncomfortable sitting with people they don’t know.
^{R.8 Reasons and Evidence}

FEATURED SKILL: Opinion Writing
Use the Skill Builder “OREO Opinions” to have students write an opinion paragraph based on the debate. 
^{W.1 Opinion Writing}