Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: Engaging in Meaningful Discourse (TEKS.ELA.7.1.D)

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Texas 7th Grade ELA › Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: Engaging in Meaningful Discourse (TEKS.ELA.7.1.D)

Questions 1 - 8
1

Maya: I think our cafeteria should stop giving plastic forks and straws. They end up in trash bags and probably the creek behind the school.

Jordan: I get that, but metal forks could get lost, and then we waste money replacing them. Plus, people grab extras.

Luis: What if we start with a trial? Keep straws for students who need them, switch forks to reusable ones in the dining room, and use a station where we return them.

Maya: A return station could work if monitors remind people.

Jordan: And we could track costs for a month to compare. If it is cheaper or close, people will buy in.

Luis: We can make a poster contest to explain why it matters, and add a reminder about washing hands after returning forks.

Maya: Then let's draft a proposal for the principal.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback that meaningfully builds on others' ideas?

You're both right; this is interesting.

Maya, your idea ignores costs. That return station will just fail.

What if we add labels on the return bin and have a student team check counts daily, so Jordan's cost concern is tracked and Maya's plan stays organized?

By the way, the basketball team needs new uniforms; we should talk about colors.

Explanation

Option C acknowledges both Maya's and Jordan's points and offers concrete steps that extend the plan, showing respectful, specific, and helpful feedback.

2

Sofia: My grandparents' ranch near San Antonio is dry, so I think our school should cut sprinkler use. The soccer field was soaked yesterday.

Caleb: Fields need water or the grass dies. Replacing turf costs a lot, and teams need safe ground to practice.

Ana: Maybe we can water less often and at dawn to reduce evaporation. We could also plant native grasses that handle heat better.

Sofia: Native plants sound good. We could add signs showing how much water we save each week.

Caleb: I still worry about the field getting patchy. Players twist ankles on uneven spots.

Ana: What if we rotate practice areas and use soil moisture sensors to decide when to water? That keeps safety first and saves water.

Sofia: Let's ask the science club to test sensors and present to the principal early next week.

Which response best demonstrates constructive feedback that builds on others' ideas?

To address Caleb's safety concern and Ana's suggestions, let's use sensor data to set watering times and post weekly field updates so teams adjust while we conserve.

Awesome plan! Everyone's ideas are perfect.

Sofia, saving water is fine, but your idea would ruin the field.

We should switch topics to planning the fall dance decorations.

Explanation

Option A acknowledges multiple viewpoints and proposes specific actions that integrate safety and conservation, modeling constructive, solution-focused feedback.

3

Priya: I think the ending is hopeful because the narrator finally chooses kindness, even without knowing the consequences.

Devin: I disagree. The last scene felt uncertain, and the author leaves too many questions. It seemed more like a warning.

Marco: I'm in between. The choice was risky, but the narrator grows. Maybe the point is that change starts messy.

Priya: The image of light on the horizon suggests a new beginning.

Devin: Or it could be imagined. He might be delirious from exhaustion.

Marco: What if we trace the symbols? The red scarf appears when the narrator hesitates, and it's gone at the end. That might mean decisiveness.

Priya: Good idea. We can also compare the first and last chapters for tone.

Devin: Fine, but we should gather quotes before class so we're not guessing.

Marco: I'll start a doc.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback and meaningful engagement with others' ideas?

Great discussion, everyone!

Priya is wrong; symbols don't matter.

Also, who's bringing snacks Friday?

Let's collect two quotes for hope and two for warning, then analyze the scarf symbol to see which interpretation fits best.

Explanation

Option D respectfully builds on both interpretations and proposes clear next steps for evidence gathering and analysis, exemplifying constructive feedback.

4

Elena: For our Texas immigration history project, I want to interview families in our neighborhood. Stories make the past feel real.

Mateo: Interviews take time. We might not get enough sources. A timeline with census data would be faster and more reliable.

Brianna: What if we combine both? We can build a timeline of major migration waves and add short audio clips from interviews to show personal experiences.

Elena: I like that. We could ask the library to host a listening booth during our showcase.

Mateo: Data still matters. We should cite where people came from and why, like jobs or drought.

Brianna: Let's create a question list so interviews stay focused, and ask permission forms for recordings.

Elena: Also, we should include communities from different regions, not just our own street.

Mateo: I can pull data from archives tomorrow.

Which response most constructively builds on the group's ideas?

This plan is great! No notes.

To balance interviews and data, let's draft focused questions, collect two key stats per timeline entry, and ask the library about a simple listening booth setup.

Elena's plan is unrealistic and will waste time.

Let's design T-shirts for the pep rally instead.

Explanation

Option B acknowledges multiple ideas and adds specific, practical steps that improve the plan, showing respectful and solution-oriented feedback.

5

Aaliyah: Our town's watering schedule just changed again. The school keeps the football field green, but my street can only water once a week.

Ben: The field hosts games that bring people together. Maybe that's worth the water, especially in Texas heat.

Carlos: But the aquifer is dropping. My grandma's well near San Antonio ran low last summer.

Aaliyah: Could the field use reclaimed water? Or switch to native grasses that survive drought?

Ben: Native grass might look patchy. Fans expect the field to be pristine.

Carlos: People can adjust. We did after the 2021 freeze—conserving became normal.

Aaliyah: What if practices move earlier, and mist irrigation replaces sprinklers?

Ben: I like the reclaimed water idea. It protects the field and the neighborhood lawns.

Carlos: Plus, student announcements could share weekly conservation tips.

Aaliyah: And the team could lead awareness.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback and meaningful engagement with others' ideas?

I agree with Carlos. People just need to adjust, period.

Building on Aaliyah's idea, the team could pilot native grass on one practice field and track water use, then share results on announcements.

Great job, everyone! These are all awesome ideas!

Instead of water talk, can we discuss new cafeteria snacks?

Explanation

Choice B acknowledges Aaliyah's idea and adds specific, actionable steps (pilot test, track water use, share results), which is constructive and builds on the discussion.

6

Maya: I think the protagonist was wrong to hide the missing funds, even to protect her friend. Honesty matters more than loyalty.

Jordan: But she saw the school's system was unfair. The fundraiser rules punished students who couldn't pay fees. Her choice challenged that.

Leo: She still lied. That risks trust. There were other options, like talking to the principal.

Maya: The principal ignored students earlier. Remember the scene with the broken instruments?

Jordan: True, but the student council had leverage. If they went public, the policy might have changed without secret stashing.

Leo: I liked how the author showed consequences: the apology video, the detention, and repairing friendships.

Maya: The ending felt rushed, though.

Jordan: Maybe, but it set up responsibility without crushing her future.

Leo: What would you have done—tell, or help quietly?

Maya: I'd ask a mediator.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback and meaningful engagement with others' ideas?

She was just wrong, end of story.

Awesome debate!

Forget the book; let's talk sports.

Building on Jordan and Leo, what if the student council proposed a fundraiser waiver form and scheduled a meeting with the principal to present data on fees' impact?

Explanation

Choice D recognizes Jordan and Leo's points and offers a concrete plan with steps and evidence, demonstrating constructive, solution-focused engagement.

7

Priya: Our city council's proposing a youth curfew after 10 p.m. They say it'll reduce vandalism downtown.

Mateo: Curfews can push kids into hiding rather than helping. My cousin in El Paso got fined just walking home from work.

Sofia: But shop owners near the riverwalk keep reporting broken windows. They need protection.

Priya: Data matters. Are most reports even about teens?

Mateo: I found a police summary showing mixed ages. Plus, community centers closed early last year.

Sofia: Maybe reopen centers late on weekends, then see if reports drop.

Priya: I'd also want buses running later, so kids aren't stranded.

Mateo: And officers could give warnings and rides instead of tickets.

Sofia: What about a pilot program for three months with a public dashboard?

Priya: Good—measure results, then decide on curfew or alternatives.

Mateo: Let's invite teens to testify.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback and meaningful engagement with others' ideas?

To build on everyone's ideas, we could draft a proposal outlining the three-month pilot, late-center hours, and warning-first policing, plus a plan to collect bus ridership and vandalism data.

This curfew is terrible. City council never listens.

Great talk, y'all! Love the energy!

Speaking of nights, who's going to the game?

Explanation

Choice A synthesizes multiple suggestions and adds clear next steps and data collection, showing respectful, solution-oriented engagement with the group's ideas.

8

Nia: Our school's new phone policy bans phones all day, even at lunch. I get why, but it feels extreme.

Omar: Distractions are real. In math, notifications ruin focus. A full-day rule keeps it simple.

Trevor: But some students translate menus or message family about rides. Total bans ignore those needs.

Nia: What if teachers lock boxes during instruction, then release phones at lunch?

Omar: That sounds messy. People will argue about timing.

Trevor: A clear schedule could help: off and away from first bell to last class, with a phone zone at lunch.

Nia: We could also require silent mode and face-down tables.

Omar: Teachers need support. Maybe a digital citizenship mini-lesson during advisory.

Trevor: And a form for exceptions, like caregiving or health apps.

Nia: Then administrators can review data and adjust next quarter.

Omar: Pilot it first.

Which response shows the most constructive feedback and meaningful engagement with others' ideas?

This plan is terrible; no one will follow it.

Nice discussion! You're all so smart!

Building on Trevor's schedule, we could post lunch phone-zone maps, set clear box procedures, and survey students weekly to tweak the plan.

Speaking of phones, did you see that new game?

Explanation

Choice C acknowledges Trevor's idea and adds concrete implementation steps and feedback collection, demonstrating constructive collaboration.