Illustration of  a girl deciding between two rooms with other students doing different hobbies

CCSS

R.1, R.2, R.6, R.8, R.9, W.1, SL.1

Should I Try Something New?

Illustration of a girl with three differently colored hair clips in her braided hair thinking

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Jenna says: I only have time for one after-school activity this year. I could be on the dance team for the third year in a row, or I could join the robotics club. All my friends do dance, but I’m really interested in robotics. Which one should I pick

Illustration of a smiling boy with red hair

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Connor says: Stick with what you know.  

    Everyone knows that the best part of after-school activities is hanging out with your friends. I don’t have any of the same classes as Mike and Pedro, so I look forward to our afternoons in the board games club. That’s why I think you should join the dance team again.

    I mean, the whole point of joining a club is to have a good time. So why not choose the one you’re sure will be fun? You never knowmaybe you won’t even like robotics. After all, it’s nothing like dance.

    Plus, aren’t you the best dancer on the team? You should stick with what you’re good at. You’ll make the team better by being there, and you already know you’ll succeed. I would always rather do something I know I’m good at than risk failing at something new. If you have already found your passion, why not stick with it?

Illustration of a smiling girl with long brown hair

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Fiona says: Try something different!

    Think back to when you first joined the dance team. I bet you were nervous, right? You weren’t sure if you’d be any good. You were worried about making new friends. Well, look at you now! You’re an amazing dancer, and you’ve met all your best friends on the team. You took a risk, and it worked out. Doesn’t that mean you should take another one?

    An important part of after-school activities is pushing yourself to try new things and meet new people. If we only did the things we know we’re good at, life would be so boring! Plus, no one would ever learn anything new

    Maybe you’ll join the robotics club and find something you love just as much as dancing. Or maybe you won’t really like it. (If you don’t like it, there are so many other clubs to try!) Either way, you’ll feel proud of yourself for taking a risk

ACTIVITY
What Should Jenna Do?

What to do: Find evidence in Connor’s and Fiona’s responses that supports each sideWrite the information on a separate sheet of paper.

Connor says: 
Stick with what you know.

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3.

Fiona says: 
Try something different!

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3.

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Lesson Plan: Should I Try Something New?

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