English Language ArtsComputer Science3-5
Claim, Reason, and Evidence: Video Games and Learning
By Kanaya S.
A 4th-grade morning work packet built around a short informational passage on how video games like simulations can teach science, math, and problem solving. Students practice writing claims supported by reasons and evidence from one cited source, with a graphic organizer to break the task into manageable steps.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as a 10-15 minute morning work task, or pair it with a short mini-lesson on the claim-reason-evidence structure before students begin.
- Discussion question: Which detail in the passage best supports the idea that games can teach science, and how would you cite it?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Have them underline the key sentence in each paragraph and fill in the graphic organizer with sentence starters before writing independently.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to identify a counterclaim, such as whether games can distract from learning, and explain how the passage's evidence responds to it.
- Estimated time: about 15 minutes for reading and the organizer, plus a few extra minutes for a short written response.
English Language ArtsComputer Science3-5
Claim, Reason, and Evidence: Video Games and Learning
By Kanaya S.
A 4th-grade morning work packet built around a short informational passage on how video games like simulations can teach science, math, and problem solving. Students practice writing claims supported by reasons and evidence from one cited source, with a graphic organizer to break the task into manageable steps.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as a 10-15 minute morning work task, or pair it with a short mini-lesson on the claim-reason-evidence structure before students begin.
- Discussion question: Which detail in the passage best supports the idea that games can teach science, and how would you cite it?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Have them underline the key sentence in each paragraph and fill in the graphic organizer with sentence starters before writing independently.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to identify a counterclaim, such as whether games can distract from learning, and explain how the passage's evidence responds to it.
- Estimated time: about 15 minutes for reading and the organizer, plus a few extra minutes for a short written response.