Some US states want to stop kids from using smartphones in schools. California and New York are thinking about making new rules for this. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul both support this idea. Many schools already have rules about phones, with most not allowing them for non-school activities.

Teachers are worried because kids are using phones too much and not talking to each other. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that something needs to be done. Some states, like Florida, already have laws banning phones in classrooms. They also block social media on school Wi-Fi.

People have argued about phones in schools for a long time. Some thought phones were distracting and linked to bad things. But after a school shooting in 1999, phones were seen as important for emergencies. Now, experts worry about kids’ mental health and how social media can make them anxious and sad.

Original news source: US states want to ban phones in schools. It might be a challenge (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to write a short summary of the main points of the article. Encourage them to include information about the states considering new rules, the concerns of teachers, and the reasons why phones have been seen as both important and problematic in schools.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask students to discuss their opinions on the use of smartphones in schools. Provide them with a list of questions to guide their discussion, such as “Do you think smartphones are helpful or distracting in the classroom?” or “Should schools have strict rules about phone usage?” After the discussion, have each group share their opinions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article, such as “rules,” “distracting,” “anxious,” etc. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a picture that represents the word. The other groups must guess the word based on the drawing. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary comprehension and encourages creative thinking.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the pros of using smartphones in schools and the other group representing the cons. Give each group time to brainstorm and discuss their arguments. Then, have a debate where each group presents their points and counters the arguments of the opposing group. This activity encourages critical thinking and persuasive speaking.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine the future of smartphones in schools. Have them write short paragraphs or have a class discussion where they make predictions about how smartphones will be used in education in the next 10 years. Encourage them to consider both positive and negative aspects, as well as potential advancements in technology. This activity promotes creative thinking and encourages students to use language to express their ideas about the future.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What do some US states want to stop kids from using in schools?
2. Who supports the idea of stopping kids from using smartphones in schools?
3. Do most schools allow kids to use their phones for non-school activities?
4. Why are teachers worried about kids using phones too much?
5. What do both Republicans and Democrats agree needs to be done about kids using phones in schools?
6. Which state already has laws banning phones in classrooms?
7. Why were phones seen as important after a school shooting in 1999?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Some US states want to stop kids from using smartphones in schools. California and New (1)______ are thinking about (2)______ new rules for this. California’s Governor Gavin (3)______ and New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul both support this idea. Many schools already have (4)______ about phones, with most not allowing them for non-school activities.

Teachers are (5)______ because (6)______ are using phones too much and not talking to each other. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that something needs to be (7)______. Some states, like Florida, already have laws banning phones in classrooms. They also block social media on school Wi-Fi.

People have (8)______ about phones in (9)______ for a long time. Some thought phones were distracting and linked to bad things. But after a school shooting in 1999, phones were seen as important for emergencies. Now, experts worry about kids’ mental (10)______ and how social (11)______ can (12)______ them anxious and sad.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a smartphone?
2. How would you feel if you couldn’t use your smartphone at school?
3. Do you like using your smartphone a lot? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important for kids to talk to each other instead of using their phones all the time? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think some schools have rules against using phones for non-school activities?
6. What do you think about the idea of banning phones in classrooms? Why?
7. How do you think social media can make kids feel anxious and sad?
8. Have you ever felt anxious or sad because of something you saw on social media? Can you tell us about it?
9. Do you think it’s important for kids to have their phones in case of emergencies? Why or why not?
10. How do you think using phones too much can affect kids’ mental health?
11. Do you think it’s fair for schools to block social media on their Wi-Fi? Why or why not?
12. What do you think should be done to help kids use their phones in a healthy way?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. smartphones
2. rules
3. support
4. activities
5. worried
6. agree
7. banning
8. argued
9. distracting
10. emergencies
11. experts
12. anxious

Meanings:
(A) Feeling very worried or nervous
(B) Serious situations that need quick action
(C) To help or approve of something
(D) Instructions that tell you what you can or cannot do
(E) Taking your attention away from what you should be doing
(F) To have the same opinion as someone else
(G) To have a discussion where people have different opinions
(H) Things people do for fun or work
(I) People who know a lot about a certain topic
(J) Stopping something from happening
(K) Phones that can do many things like a computer
(L) Feeling scared or nervous about something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which US states are considering making new rules to stop kids from using smartphones in schools?
(a) California and New York
(b) Texas and Florida
(c) Alaska and Hawaii
(d) Ohio and Michigan

2. Why are teachers worried about kids using phones too much in schools?
(a) Kids are not doing their homework.
(b) Kids are not talking to each other.
(c) Kids are not eating lunch.
(d) Kids are not playing sports.

3. Which political parties agree that something needs to be done about kids using phones in schools?
(a) Independents and Libertarians
(b) Socialists and Communists
(c) Conservatives and Progressives
(d) Republicans and Democrats

4. Which state already has laws banning phones in classrooms?
(a) Florida
(b) California
(c) New York
(d) Texas

5. Why were phones seen as important for emergencies after a school shooting in 1999?
(a) They can be used to play games.
(b) They can be used to take photos.
(c) They can be used to call for help.
(d) They can be used to listen to music.

6. What do experts worry about regarding kids’ mental health and social media?
(a) It can make them happy and excited.
(b) It can make them hungry and tired.
(c) It can make them bored and lazy.
(d) It can make them anxious and sad.

7. What do many schools already have rules about regarding phones?
(a) Not allowing them during lunchtime.
(b) Not allowing them for non-school activities.
(c) Not allowing them on the school bus.
(d) Not allowing them in the library.

8. What do some people think about phones in schools?
(a) They are helpful and linked to good things.
(b) They are expensive and linked to fashion.
(c) They are distracting and linked to bad things.
(d) They are boring and linked to old things.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Teachers are worried because kids are using their phones too much and not talking to each other.
2. Many schools already have rules that don’t allow kids to use their phones for non-school activities.
3. People have been arguing about phones in schools for a long time, with some thinking they are distracting and linked to bad things.
4. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that nothing needs to be done about kids using phones in schools.
5. Experts are unconcerned about kids’ mental health and how social media can make them anxious and sad.
6. Some US states, like California and New York, allow kids to freely use smartphones in schools.
7. The Governors of California and New York oppose the idea of stopping kids from using smartphones in schools.
8. Florida already has laws that ban phones in classrooms and block social media on school Wi-Fi.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why do some US states want to stop kids from using smartphones in schools?
2. Who supports the idea of making new rules about smartphones in schools in California and New York?
3. What are teachers worried about when it comes to kids using phones in schools?
4. Which states already have laws banning phones in classrooms?
5. Why were phones seen as important for emergencies after a school shooting in 1999?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Some US states want to stop kids from using smartphones in schools.
Answer: Some US states want to stop kids from using smartphones in schools.

2. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul support the idea of stopping kids from using smartphones in schools.
Answer: California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul support the idea of stopping kids from using smartphones in schools.

3. No, most schools do not allow kids to use their phones for non-school activities.
Answer: No, most schools do not allow kids to use their phones for non-school activities.

4. Teachers are worried about kids using phones too much because they are not talking to each other.
Answer: Teachers are worried about kids using phones too much because they are not talking to each other.

5. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that something needs to be done about kids using phones in schools.
Answer: Both Republicans and Democrats agree that something needs to be done about kids using phones in schools.

6. Florida already has laws banning phones in classrooms.
Answer: Florida already has laws banning phones in classrooms.

7. Phones were seen as important after a school shooting in 1999 because they can be used to call for help during emergencies.
Answer: Phones were seen as important after a school shooting in 1999 because they can be used to call for help during emergencies.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) York
(2) making
(3) Newsom
(4) rules
(5) worried
(6) kids
(7) done
(8) argued
(9) schools
(10) health
(11) media
(12) make
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. smartphones
Answer: (K) Phones that can do many things like a computer

2. rules
Answer: (D) Instructions that tell you what you can or cannot do

3. support
Answer: (C) To help or approve of something

4. activities
Answer: (H) Things people do for fun or work

5. worried
Answer: (L) Feeling scared or nervous about something

6. agree
Answer: (F) To have the same opinion as someone else

7. banning
Answer: (J) Stopping something from happening

8. argued
Answer: (G) To have a discussion where people have different opinions

9. distracting
Answer: (E) Taking your attention away from what you should be doing

10. emergencies
Answer: (B) Serious situations that need quick action

11. experts
Answer: (I) People who know a lot about a certain topic

12. anxious
Answer: (A) Feeling very worried or nervous
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which US states are considering making new rules to stop kids from using smartphones in schools?
Answer: (a) California and New York

2. Why are teachers worried about kids using phones too much in schools?
Answer: (b) Kids are not talking to each other.

3. Which political parties agree that something needs to be done about kids using phones in schools?
Answer: (d) Republicans and Democrats

4. Which state already has laws banning phones in classrooms?
Answer: (a) Florida

5. Why were phones seen as important for emergencies after a school shooting in 1999?
Answer: (c) They can be used to call for help.

6. What do experts worry about regarding kids’ mental health and social media?
Answer: (d) It can make them anxious and sad.

7. What do many schools already have rules about regarding phones?
Answer: (b) Not allowing them for non-school activities.

8. What do some people think about phones in schools?
Answer: (c) They are distracting and linked to bad things.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Teachers are worried because kids are using their phones too much and not talking to each other. (Answer: True)
2. Many schools already have rules that don’t allow kids to use their phones for non-school activities. (Answer: True)
3. People have been arguing about phones in schools for a long time, with some thinking they are distracting and linked to bad things. (Answer: True)
4. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that nothing needs to be done about kids using phones in schools. (Answer: False)
5. Experts are unconcerned about kids’ mental health and how social media can make them anxious and sad. (Answer: False)
6. Some US states, like California and New York, allow kids to freely use smartphones in schools. (Answer: False)
7. The Governors of California and New York oppose the idea of stopping kids from using smartphones in schools. (Answer: False)
8. Florida already has laws that ban phones in classrooms and block social media on school Wi-Fi. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧