Y05W41PA - Should Older Students Have Their Own Playground Time?

This week you wrote a piece for the student council about playground time. Now you'll read another student's writing and decide how strong it is. Looking at other arguments helps you spot moves you can use.

Part 1

The Assessor Scorecard for

Persuasive – Submission

Markers look for arguments that are fair to everyone, not one-sided. Check each strand below to see what strong work looks like.

Ideas & Content

Reasons that show you've thought about both older and younger kids. A clear stand backed by fair thinking, not just your side. Reasons based on real needs, not feelings alone.

  • Balanced position: reasons that argue your view while also being fair to others.

Structure & Cohesion

A clear stand stated up front. Other views named and answered fairly. Reasons built up in an order that makes sense.

  • Fair acknowledgement: a clear stand that names other views and answers them.

Audience & Purpose

Language that shows respect for all students, not just yours. A tone that sounds like you've thought hard, not just complained. No put-downs of other groups or their needs.

  • Respectful language: writing that names all students' needs and treats them fairly.

Language Choices

Even, careful word choices — not pushy or dismissive. Words that show you care about fairness, not winning. No big claims you can't back up.

  • Fairness language: even word choices that show real care for all sides.

Conventions

Spelling and grammar that don't trip the reader up. Sentences built clearly so the council can follow. A pattern of mistakes lowers the mark — one or two does not.

  • Grammar accuracy: correct spelling and well-built sentences that hold the argument up.

Part 2

Today’s Marking Targets

Task in one sentence

Write a piece for the student council arguing for or against saving some lunch times only for older students.

Let’s Focus

Two strands matter most this week: Ideas & Content and Audience & Purpose. Fair ideas show you understand all sides of the playground question. Knowing your reader — the council — helps you sound respectful. Together, they make your argument convincing because it's fair.

Ideas & Content

Strong writing this week shows you understand both older and younger kids' needs. Older kids need space; younger kids need a safe playground too. Reasons should show real fairness thinking, not just "my side wins."

What markers scan for

  • Name what older students need — space, less crowding.
  • Name what younger students need too — safety, fair access.
  • Use reasons that show you've thought about both sides.

Score Bands

  • Basic

    Reasons are given but one side is missed — fairness thinking is thin.

  • Strong

    Reasons are clear and both sides are named — fairness thinking is solid.

  • Excellent

    Reasons are rich and both sides are weighed — fairness thinking is careful.

Audience & Purpose

Strong writing this week shows respect for everyone — older kids, younger kids, and the council. Words should sound thought-through, not pushy. The council should feel you care about fairness, not just winning your way.

What markers scan for

  • Pick words that show respect for all students.
  • Name other views fairly — don't brush them off.
  • Keep a tone that sounds fair, not pushy or angry.

Score Bands

  • Basic

    Tone is mostly polite but words sometimes brush other views off.

  • Strong

    Tone shows respect for all students — other views are named fairly.

  • Excellent

    Tone shows deep respect — other views are weighed with real care.

Now read · Student sample

Should Older Students Have Their Own Playground Time?

Year 5 sample · ~200 words

Student sample for assessment

Written by a Year 5 student in Montmorency, Victoria, Australia.

I think Year 6 students should have their own lunch time on the main playground. We're bigger than the younger kids and need different space.

First, the playground gets really crowded when everyone is there together. Little kids are always running around and getting in the way when we're trying to play games. We can't do anything because they're everywhere. If the younger students had a different time, we'd have room to move.

Second, older students have different needs than younger kids. We want to play sport and games that take lots of space. The little ones just want to play tag and go on the equipment. These activities need different areas of the playground.

Also, younger students have more time to play anyway. They don't have as much homework and go home earlier on some days. Year 5 and 6 students are busier with schoolwork. We need our own time to relax.

Some people say it's not fair to separate the students. But it's also not fair that we can't use the playground properly. There are other places where younger students can play at different times.

The school should give older students their own lunch time on the main playground.