You will learn
- State an opposing view fairly.
- Use acknowledging phrases.
- Write a rebuttal.
- Keep a respectful tone.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- State the other view fairly.
- Acknowledge what is valid.
- Rebut with evidence.
- Return to your claim.
Words to know
a different opinion on the same issue
to admit a point is partly true
a reasoned answer to an opposing view
polite and fair language
1. Discover: The other side
Lola argues for a school garden. She writes: “Some people argue that a garden would waste class time. It is true that gardening takes time. However, pupils would learn science and teamwork through it, and a lunchtime club would avoid losing lessons.”
She states the alternative viewpoint fairly, concedes a valid point, then offers a rebuttal in a respectful tone, not “They are silly.”
Think: How does conceding strengthen her argument?
2. Understand: Answering the other side
Idea 1: Fair statement
State the alternative viewpoint fairly without mocking it.
Idea 2: Concede and rebut
Concede what is valid, then give a rebuttal with evidence.
Idea 3: Tone
Keep a respectful tone: it builds trust.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Alternative
What is the alternative view?
- Wastes class time.
Answer: a garden would waste class time
Example 2 (We do it together): Concede
What does she concede?
- Takes time.
Answer: gardening takes time
Example 3 (You try): Rebuttal
What is her rebuttal?
Show the steps and answer
- Learn and club.
Answer: pupils would learn science and teamwork, and a lunchtime club avoids lost lessons
Did you know?
Phrases like “it is true that” and “I understand that” show respect.
Why this matters
Respecting other views makes arguments more convincing.
4. Explore: Both sides
Answer an opposing view.
- State your claim.
- State the opposite view fairly.
- Concede a point.
- Write a rebuttal.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can rebut respectfully.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- Some people say ___.
- It is true that ___.
- However, ___.
- Therefore, ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. A different opinion on the same issue is an ___ viewpoint.
alternative
Question 2. To admit a point is partly true is to ___.
concede
Question 3. A reasoned answer to an opposing view is a ___.
rebuttal
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A different opinion on the same issue is an ___ viewpoint.
- To admit a point is partly true is to ___.
- A reasoned answer to an opposing view is a ___.
- Polite and fair language is a ___ tone.
- A garden teaches ___.
Level 2: Grow
- What would a lunchtime club avoid?
- What phrase concedes?
- What word turns to the rebuttal?
Level 3: Stretch
- Should you mock the other side?
- Can you concede a valid point?
- Should you give evidence in a rebuttal?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write a paragraph acknowledging and rebutting an opposing view.
Show a sample answer
a paragraph
Another one. Listen to a family member’s different opinion and respond politely with a reason.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can state an opposing view fairly.
- I can use acknowledging phrases.
- I can write a rebuttal.
- I can keep a respectful tone.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- State the other view fairly.
- Acknowledge what is valid.
- Rebut with evidence.
- Return to your claim.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Argumentative paragraphs. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define alternative viewpoint. [1 mark]
- What does concede mean? [1 mark]
- Identify the rebuttal in the garden paragraph. [2 marks]
- Why keep a respectful tone? [2 marks]
- Explain how to answer an opposing view. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a different opinion on the same issue [1]
- to admit a point is partly true [1]
- pupils would learn science and teamwork [1]; a lunchtime club avoids losing lessons [1]
- it builds trust [1]; it makes the argument more convincing [1]
- state it fairly [1]; concede what is valid [1]; rebut with evidence and return to the claim [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- A different opinion on the same issue is an ___ viewpoint.
- To admit a point is partly true is to ___.
- A reasoned answer to an opposing view is a ___.
- Polite and fair language is a ___ tone.
- A garden teaches ___.
- What would a lunchtime club avoid?
- What phrase concedes?
- What word turns to the rebuttal?
- Should you mock the other side?
- Can you concede a valid point?
Homework
Listen to a family member’s different opinion and respond politely with a reason.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A different opinion on the same issue is an ___ viewpoint. | alternative | 1 |
| 2. To admit a point is partly true is to ___. | concede | 1 |
| 3. A reasoned answer to an opposing view is a ___. | rebuttal | 1 |
| 4. Polite and fair language is a ___ tone. | respectful | 1 |
| 5. A garden teaches ___. | teamwork | 1 |
| 6. What would a lunchtime club avoid? | losing lessons | 1 |
| 7. What phrase concedes? | it is true that | 1 |
| 8. What word turns to the rebuttal? | however | 1 |
| 9. Should you mock the other side? | no | 1 |
| 10. Can you concede a valid point? | yes | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 alternative; 2 concede; 3 rebuttal; 4 respectful; 5 teamwork. Level 2: 1 losing lessons; 2 it is true that; 3 however. Level 3: 1 no; 2 yes; 3 yes.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 State an opposing view fairly | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Use acknowledging phrases | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Write a rebuttal | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Keep a respectful tone | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: state an opposing view fairly; use acknowledging phrases; write a rebuttal; keep a respectful tone.
Prerequisite knowledge. Organising arguments.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 6 » Writing; Grade 6 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core W.6.1a and W.6.1e (acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims; establish and maintain a formal style); Cambridge Primary English Stage 6 (considering other viewpoints). These sources informed the lesson.