13) Read the passage below & then answer the prompt in the space provided.

"To Stand or Not to Stand?"

In 2016, Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael, California, became the first U.S. school to replace all of its ordinary desks with raised desks that students stand at. Speaking to a reporter from TIME for Kids magazine, one student at the school gave the standing desks high praise. "You feel happier, you're less tired, and you're more active," she said. According to several studies, children working at standing desks burn more calories and are more focused on tasks. In spite of this, some teachers and parents are opposed to the change. They are concerned that standing for long periods of time could cause fatigue, strain on the legs and feet, or posture problems. In addition, standing desks are more expensive than seated desks. However, Vallecito Elementary School is proving that the benefits of using standing desks are well worth the extra costs, and the studies prove that students are more focused using this new technology. School districts should consider implementing standing desks to help their students.

Prompt: In 3-5 complete sentences, use the RAD strategy to explain the following about the above passage (4 points total):

Central idea, (1 point) Hint: WIN Strategy can help!
Author’s purpose (perspective), (1 point) Hint: PIE acronym can help!
Why the author acknowledges the differing opinions. (What effect does this have on the argument?) (1 point) Hint: We discussed this during Live Lesson for a different article!
Check for spelling, punctuation, capital letters, and complete sentences before you submit your response. (1 point)

(4 points)

1 answer

The central idea of the passage is that Vallecito Elementary School's implementation of standing desks has beneficial effects on student engagement and physical activity, making them a preferable option over traditional seated desks. The author's purpose is to persuade school districts to adopt standing desks, highlighting the positive impact they have on students’ focus and well-being. The author acknowledges differing opinions, such as concerns about fatigue and costs, to present a balanced view and strengthen the argument by showing that despite these concerns, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. This inclusion of opposing viewpoints makes the argument more persuasive and credible.