Question
Lunchtime at Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School in South Burlington, Vermont, looks a lot like it does at many other schools. Kids sit at big round tables with trays of food and lunch bags scattered in front of them. Sounds of chatter and laughter fill the air.
But if you look a little closer, you’ll notice that there is something different here, something missing.
Cell phones.
At Frederick Tuttle, you won’t find kids scrolling or sending Snaps during lunch—or at any other time.
That’s because this year, the school banned phones. Students now put their devices into a locked box at the start of the day and don’t get them back until dismissal.
Why? Teachers and administrators at the school felt like phones were disrupting teaching and learning. And they’re not alone. Across the country, a growing number of schools are implementing phone bans. Several states, including South Carolina and Indiana, have even passed laws that require schools to limit students’ phone use. More may follow.
Is this a good idea?
Hard to Focus
One of the main reasons schools have started banning phones is because they’re distracting. According to a Common Sense Media study, 97 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds with phones use them in school, often during class. Experts say that scrolling in class divides your brain’s attention, making it difficult to concentrate. It’s impossible to fully focus on an algebra problem, for example, if you’re constantly checking for texts or DMs.
But what if you don’t pull out your phone in class? Turns out, our phones can still distract us even when they’re stashed away. A 2017 study* suggests that just having your phone nearby might make it harder to learn and perform well on tests.
What’s more, disciplining students who are on their phones can disrupt class. “Not having to manage student phone use has allowed teachers to spend more time teaching,” says Frederick Tuttle’s principal, Suzanne Gruendling.
A Safety Issue
Not everyone is supportive of phone bans, however. Some people worry that taking phones away could make life more complicated for caregivers. What if soccer practice gets canceled and you need to let someone know? Having to wait until the end of the day to send updates can make planning difficult for busy families.
Others feel that phone bans create a safety issue. Without phones, how would students get in touch with their families during an emergency? Or call for help if they need it?
Schools with bans, however, say that most of these concerns can be addressed by communicating the old-fashioned way. Most schools have a landline phone that students can use.
More Connected
There’s another reason not everyone supports banning phones. Some feel taking away phones is not a realistic solution given how important these devices have become.
“Phones are central to how we explore, experience, and communicate in the world,” says Dr.Heidi Schumacher, a pediatrician and an expert on school health policies.
Schumacher argues that it would be more helpful to teach kids to use phones responsibly than to ban them. After all, once you’re an adult, there won’t be anyone regulating how and when you use your phone.
Plus, some teachers find phones to be useful learning tools. Students can use them to take notes and complete assignments, like creating podcasts or videos.
Then again, school is about more than just academics. It’s about making friends and socializing too. And many believe taking phones away can help with those things.
Cashel Higgins, 16, goes to Harwood Union High School in Moretown, Vermont, which recently banned phones. He says he now notices kids talking and laughing with each other instead of texting and scrolling all the time.
“Some kids thought they’d feel less connected without phones,” he says. “But actually, we all feel more connected now.”
There’s been positive feedback at Frederick Tuttle too.
“I like the new policy,” says Cole Swanson, a sixth-grade student at the school. “Phones are a massive distraction.”
Do you agree?
Argumentative Essay Writing Assignment
Step 1: Choose and Read an Article
📖 Read "Do Phones Belong in Schools?" Carefully read the article, highlighting key points and identifying the central argument.Step 2: Complete the Debate Essay Kit (Daily Grade)
📝 Use the Debate Essay Kit to structure your essay. This will count as a daily grade. Your kit should include:
✅ Your claim (thesis statement) – Which side of the argument do you support?
✅ Two reasons that support your claim
✅ Evidence from the article (quotes, facts, expert opinions)
✅ Counterargument – What is the strongest point from the opposing side?
✅ Rebuttal – How can you prove the counterargument wrong?
💡 Research Component: You may also incorporate additional evidence from reliable internet sources to strengthen your argument.
Step 3: Writing Your 5-Paragraph Argumentative Essay
📄 Using the information from your Debate Essay Kit, write a 5-paragraph argumentative essay in Google Docs and submit it through Google Classroom.
📌 Essay Structure & Requirements:🔸 Paragraph 1 – Introduction- up to 20 points
Hook: Engage the reader with a compelling fact, quote, or question.
Thesis Statement (Claim): Clearly state your argument.
Preview: Introduce two reasons that support your claim.
🔺 Paragraph 2 – Body Paragraph 1
up to 20 points
Topic Sentence: State your first reason.
Text Evidence: Include evidence from the article or your research.
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports your argument (minimum 3 sentences).
🔺 Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2
up to 20 points
Topic Sentence: State your second reason.
Text Evidence: Provide supporting evidence from the article or research.
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports your argument (minimum 3 sentences).
⚖️ Paragraph 4 – Counterargument & Rebuttal
up to 20 points
Introduce the strongest argument from the opposing viewpoint.
Immediately refute (disprove) the opposing argument with a strong counterclaim.
Support your rebuttal with 2-3 sentences explaining why the opposing viewpoint is incorrect.
🔹 Paragraph 5 – Conclusion
up to 20 points
Restate your thesis statement and key reasons.
Reconnect with the hook to reinforce your argument.
End with a strong final sentence that leaves an impact.
Step 4: Incorporate Rhetorical Devices
✍️ Your essay must include at least three rhetorical devices from the Anchor Chart:
📌 Choose from the following:✅ Anecdote – A short personal or real-life story to support your argument
✅ Diction (Word Choice) – Intentional word choice that strengthens your argument
✅ Scenario – A vivid, descriptive example that helps the reader picture your point
✅ Analogy – A comparison between two things to clarify your point
✅ Pathos – Emotional appeal to persuade your audience
✅ Ethos – Ethical appeal that establishes credibility or morality
✅ Logos – Logical appeal using facts, statistics, or expert opinions
🔎 Highlight or underline the rhetorical devices in your essay.
Step 5: Formatting & Submission
✔️ Use Google Docs and follow the correct essay structure.
✔️ Proofread your work for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
✔️ Submit your final essay in Google Classroom by the due date.
💡 TIP: Use your Debate Essay Kit as a guide to ensure your essay is strong, well-supported, and persuasive!
But if you look a little closer, you’ll notice that there is something different here, something missing.
Cell phones.
At Frederick Tuttle, you won’t find kids scrolling or sending Snaps during lunch—or at any other time.
That’s because this year, the school banned phones. Students now put their devices into a locked box at the start of the day and don’t get them back until dismissal.
Why? Teachers and administrators at the school felt like phones were disrupting teaching and learning. And they’re not alone. Across the country, a growing number of schools are implementing phone bans. Several states, including South Carolina and Indiana, have even passed laws that require schools to limit students’ phone use. More may follow.
Is this a good idea?
Hard to Focus
One of the main reasons schools have started banning phones is because they’re distracting. According to a Common Sense Media study, 97 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds with phones use them in school, often during class. Experts say that scrolling in class divides your brain’s attention, making it difficult to concentrate. It’s impossible to fully focus on an algebra problem, for example, if you’re constantly checking for texts or DMs.
But what if you don’t pull out your phone in class? Turns out, our phones can still distract us even when they’re stashed away. A 2017 study* suggests that just having your phone nearby might make it harder to learn and perform well on tests.
What’s more, disciplining students who are on their phones can disrupt class. “Not having to manage student phone use has allowed teachers to spend more time teaching,” says Frederick Tuttle’s principal, Suzanne Gruendling.
A Safety Issue
Not everyone is supportive of phone bans, however. Some people worry that taking phones away could make life more complicated for caregivers. What if soccer practice gets canceled and you need to let someone know? Having to wait until the end of the day to send updates can make planning difficult for busy families.
Others feel that phone bans create a safety issue. Without phones, how would students get in touch with their families during an emergency? Or call for help if they need it?
Schools with bans, however, say that most of these concerns can be addressed by communicating the old-fashioned way. Most schools have a landline phone that students can use.
More Connected
There’s another reason not everyone supports banning phones. Some feel taking away phones is not a realistic solution given how important these devices have become.
“Phones are central to how we explore, experience, and communicate in the world,” says Dr.Heidi Schumacher, a pediatrician and an expert on school health policies.
Schumacher argues that it would be more helpful to teach kids to use phones responsibly than to ban them. After all, once you’re an adult, there won’t be anyone regulating how and when you use your phone.
Plus, some teachers find phones to be useful learning tools. Students can use them to take notes and complete assignments, like creating podcasts or videos.
Then again, school is about more than just academics. It’s about making friends and socializing too. And many believe taking phones away can help with those things.
Cashel Higgins, 16, goes to Harwood Union High School in Moretown, Vermont, which recently banned phones. He says he now notices kids talking and laughing with each other instead of texting and scrolling all the time.
“Some kids thought they’d feel less connected without phones,” he says. “But actually, we all feel more connected now.”
There’s been positive feedback at Frederick Tuttle too.
“I like the new policy,” says Cole Swanson, a sixth-grade student at the school. “Phones are a massive distraction.”
Do you agree?
Argumentative Essay Writing Assignment
Step 1: Choose and Read an Article
📖 Read "Do Phones Belong in Schools?" Carefully read the article, highlighting key points and identifying the central argument.Step 2: Complete the Debate Essay Kit (Daily Grade)
📝 Use the Debate Essay Kit to structure your essay. This will count as a daily grade. Your kit should include:
✅ Your claim (thesis statement) – Which side of the argument do you support?
✅ Two reasons that support your claim
✅ Evidence from the article (quotes, facts, expert opinions)
✅ Counterargument – What is the strongest point from the opposing side?
✅ Rebuttal – How can you prove the counterargument wrong?
💡 Research Component: You may also incorporate additional evidence from reliable internet sources to strengthen your argument.
Step 3: Writing Your 5-Paragraph Argumentative Essay
📄 Using the information from your Debate Essay Kit, write a 5-paragraph argumentative essay in Google Docs and submit it through Google Classroom.
📌 Essay Structure & Requirements:🔸 Paragraph 1 – Introduction- up to 20 points
Hook: Engage the reader with a compelling fact, quote, or question.
Thesis Statement (Claim): Clearly state your argument.
Preview: Introduce two reasons that support your claim.
🔺 Paragraph 2 – Body Paragraph 1
up to 20 points
Topic Sentence: State your first reason.
Text Evidence: Include evidence from the article or your research.
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports your argument (minimum 3 sentences).
🔺 Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2
up to 20 points
Topic Sentence: State your second reason.
Text Evidence: Provide supporting evidence from the article or research.
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports your argument (minimum 3 sentences).
⚖️ Paragraph 4 – Counterargument & Rebuttal
up to 20 points
Introduce the strongest argument from the opposing viewpoint.
Immediately refute (disprove) the opposing argument with a strong counterclaim.
Support your rebuttal with 2-3 sentences explaining why the opposing viewpoint is incorrect.
🔹 Paragraph 5 – Conclusion
up to 20 points
Restate your thesis statement and key reasons.
Reconnect with the hook to reinforce your argument.
End with a strong final sentence that leaves an impact.
Step 4: Incorporate Rhetorical Devices
✍️ Your essay must include at least three rhetorical devices from the Anchor Chart:
📌 Choose from the following:✅ Anecdote – A short personal or real-life story to support your argument
✅ Diction (Word Choice) – Intentional word choice that strengthens your argument
✅ Scenario – A vivid, descriptive example that helps the reader picture your point
✅ Analogy – A comparison between two things to clarify your point
✅ Pathos – Emotional appeal to persuade your audience
✅ Ethos – Ethical appeal that establishes credibility or morality
✅ Logos – Logical appeal using facts, statistics, or expert opinions
🔎 Highlight or underline the rhetorical devices in your essay.
Step 5: Formatting & Submission
✔️ Use Google Docs and follow the correct essay structure.
✔️ Proofread your work for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
✔️ Submit your final essay in Google Classroom by the due date.
💡 TIP: Use your Debate Essay Kit as a guide to ensure your essay is strong, well-supported, and persuasive!
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
### Do Phones Belong in Schools?
With a staggering 97 percent of teenagers using their phones in school, it's no surprise that many educational institutions are grappling with the question of whether or not these devices should have a place in classrooms. At Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School in Vermont, a recent policy was enacted that bans cell phones entirely during school hours. This bold step brings to the forefront an important conversation about the role of technology in education. I firmly believe that banning phones in schools is a positive move that enhances students' academic focus and social interactions while preserving educational integrity.
One of the most compelling reasons to support the ban on cell phones in schools is the undeniable distraction they pose. As noted in the article, phones can make it extremely difficult for students to concentrate, with 97 percent of them admitting to using their devices during class. Experts affirm that constantly scrolling and checking messages divides attention, which hampers effective learning. Furthermore, a 2017 study suggested that simply having a phone nearby could impair performance on tests. With teachers able to devote more time to instruction instead of managing phone use, students can engage more meaningfully in their studies, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes.
Another significant argument in favor of banning phones is the positive impact on social interactions among students. Observations from both Frederick Tuttle and Harwood Union High School reveal that without the distraction of phones, students are more inclined to engage in face-to-face conversations and forge stronger relationships. Sixteen-year-old Cashel Higgins from Harwood Union claims that kids now "notice each other talking and laughing" instead of being absorbed in their screens. This shift can enhance social skills and foster a stronger sense of community among peers, which is essential for emotional and social development during critical adolescent years.
Despite these advantages, some opponents argue that phone bans create safety issues, claiming that students would be unable to contact their families in emergencies. While this concern is valid, it overlooks the fact that schools often provide alternative means of communication, such as landline phones. Additionally, according to Dr. Heidi Schumacher, experts believe that teaching students responsible phone use could be more beneficial than outright bans. However, I argue that such an educational approach should not come at the cost of immediate, observable benefits such as enhanced focus and social interaction. The current ban is a necessary intervention aimed at cultivating an environment conducive to learning while ensuring that students develop better social skills.
In conclusion, the ban on cell phones in schools like Frederick Tuttle Middle School significantly enhances the educational experience by reducing distractions and fostering stronger social connections among students. By eliminating the lure of constant notifications and the urge to text, schools can create environments that encourage deeper engagement with both academic material and peers. As we continue to navigate the complexities of technology in our lives, prioritizing our students' educational journeys is essential. Ultimately, this policy not only aligns with current educational needs but also prepares students to better manage technology responsibly in the future.
With a staggering 97 percent of teenagers using their phones in school, it's no surprise that many educational institutions are grappling with the question of whether or not these devices should have a place in classrooms. At Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School in Vermont, a recent policy was enacted that bans cell phones entirely during school hours. This bold step brings to the forefront an important conversation about the role of technology in education. I firmly believe that banning phones in schools is a positive move that enhances students' academic focus and social interactions while preserving educational integrity.
One of the most compelling reasons to support the ban on cell phones in schools is the undeniable distraction they pose. As noted in the article, phones can make it extremely difficult for students to concentrate, with 97 percent of them admitting to using their devices during class. Experts affirm that constantly scrolling and checking messages divides attention, which hampers effective learning. Furthermore, a 2017 study suggested that simply having a phone nearby could impair performance on tests. With teachers able to devote more time to instruction instead of managing phone use, students can engage more meaningfully in their studies, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes.
Another significant argument in favor of banning phones is the positive impact on social interactions among students. Observations from both Frederick Tuttle and Harwood Union High School reveal that without the distraction of phones, students are more inclined to engage in face-to-face conversations and forge stronger relationships. Sixteen-year-old Cashel Higgins from Harwood Union claims that kids now "notice each other talking and laughing" instead of being absorbed in their screens. This shift can enhance social skills and foster a stronger sense of community among peers, which is essential for emotional and social development during critical adolescent years.
Despite these advantages, some opponents argue that phone bans create safety issues, claiming that students would be unable to contact their families in emergencies. While this concern is valid, it overlooks the fact that schools often provide alternative means of communication, such as landline phones. Additionally, according to Dr. Heidi Schumacher, experts believe that teaching students responsible phone use could be more beneficial than outright bans. However, I argue that such an educational approach should not come at the cost of immediate, observable benefits such as enhanced focus and social interaction. The current ban is a necessary intervention aimed at cultivating an environment conducive to learning while ensuring that students develop better social skills.
In conclusion, the ban on cell phones in schools like Frederick Tuttle Middle School significantly enhances the educational experience by reducing distractions and fostering stronger social connections among students. By eliminating the lure of constant notifications and the urge to text, schools can create environments that encourage deeper engagement with both academic material and peers. As we continue to navigate the complexities of technology in our lives, prioritizing our students' educational journeys is essential. Ultimately, this policy not only aligns with current educational needs but also prepares students to better manage technology responsibly in the future.
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