1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What are the benefits of having cellphones? What are the drawbacks?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether schools should ban cellphone use. The issue is timely because 97 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds use their phones in school, and some teachers report that phones are disrupting learning.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (As the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox is responsible for advancing new policies in his state. As a district superintendent, Neil Lesinski develops policies and rules to help schools in his district effectively educate students.)