LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate the pros and cons of getting paid for good grades. 

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Analyze how the school and community can affect personal health practice and behaviors. 

 

CASEL: Social awareness

KEY VOCAB

incentives

undermines 

Lesson Plan: Should You Get Paid for A’s? 

Weigh the pros and cons of getting paid for good grades. 

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

3. Building Comprehension and Vocabulary

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

1. Preparing to Read

Before you read the debate “Should You Get Paid for A’s?” ask your students the following pre-reading question: 

What are the pros and cons of getting paid for good grades? 

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have your students read the debate, “Should You Get Paid for A’s?” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have one student read one side of the debate and another student read the other side.
  • After they’ve read the debate, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed? Remind them to vote in the poll at the end of the story. 
  • Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently. 


Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

  1. What is one responsibility that could make it difficult for students to prioritize school, according to Dylan?
  2. In Simone’s opinion, what do schools take away from students by paying for good grades? 

Critical-Thinking Questions

  1. Are you more motivated by the idea of learning or the idea of getting good results? Why?
  2. In your opinion, should schools pay for good grades? Why or why not?

3. Building Comprehension and Vocab

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Quiz

  • Vocab Builder

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity: 

In MOTIVATED TO ACHIEVE, have students discuss their opinions on getting paid for grades and take a final stance. Then, have them put their heads together to brainstorm other creative ways for schools to motivate students to do their personal best! Optional extension: Students who feel particularly inspired about the issue of student motivation could share their ideas with the principal or a student council member via email. 

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