Students will read an informational passage about cell phones in school and answer multiple choice questions and one short constructed response. This formative assesses students’ ability to identify the author’s purpose, make inferences, use text evidence, and analyze arguments in an informational text. This activity is aligned to STAAR reading expectations and helps prepare students for responding to reading passages independently.
If someone asked what one thing you could not live without, many people would say their cell phone. Cell phones are part of everyday life. They help us talk to friends, video chat with family in other states, share our lives on social media, check email, get directions, and look things up on Google. Is there anything they cannot do? With such a strong dependence on cell phones, it is surprising that many public schools still do not allow them in classrooms.
Smartphones are not just for talking. They have many features that can help students learn. For example, if a student is doing a research project, they can quickly access information right in the classroom. It is like having a computer in your pocket.
Cell phones can also help students take notes and study. They can snap pictures of classroom notes, diagrams, or images. Having a clear picture is often more helpful than a rough sketch and can lead to better studying at home. Students can also record class discussions to capture group conversations, which can be better than writing down only a few points.
Finally, the calendar on a phone can help students stay organized. With shareable calendars, reminders, and alerts, students can quickly add test dates and project deadlines. This makes it easy to keep track of important tasks.
Cell phones can offer many benefits in school, including research tools, storing information, and staying organized. One day, schools, principals, and teachers will see these advantages. As time goes on, more schools will accept the positive uses of cell phones in classrooms.
What is the most likely reason the author wrote the article "Cell Phones in School?"
Read the dictionary entry.
access /ˈak-ses/ noun or verb
a way of entering a place
ability to use something
permission to enter
an increase in availability
Which definition best matches the meaning of access as it is used in paragraph 2?
What is the best paraphrase of paragraph 5?
Which details from paragraphs 2 through 4 best support the key idea that cell phones can enhance student learning? Select TWO correct answers.
What is the author’s main message in the selection? Support your answer with evidence from the passage.
Which word from paragraph 3 best helps the reader understand the meaning of capture?
Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that cell phones help students stay organized?
Read this sentence from paragraph 3.
Having a clear picture is often more helpful than a rough sketch and can lead to better studying at home.
What is the best paraphrase of this sentence?
Based on the passage, what can the reader conclude about the role of cell phones in classroom research?
In paragraph 4 of the passage, the word reminders means —