PaginePaginepagineapp.comRead both texts. Compare how each develops its ideas.
Master Varga had repaired clocks for fifty years and never once smiled at his apprentice. "Again," he said whenever Lena handed him a finished gear. "The teeth are uneven."
For months, Lena filed and polished until her hands ached. She began to wonder whether he simply disliked her.
One winter morning, the great clock in the town square stopped. The mayor came running. Master Varga, whose hands now shook too badly for fine work, handed Lena his tools. "You do it," he said.
High in the tower, with snow blowing through the slats, Lena found the broken gear and replaced it with one of her own. When the hands began to move again, the whole square cheered. Below, she saw Master Varga in the crowd — and he was smiling.
Some schools have reduced or even eliminated homework, especially in the lower grades. The decision has sparked debate among parents, teachers and researchers.
Supporters of homework argue that it builds responsibility, gives students extra practice and helps families see what children are learning. Research suggests homework can benefit older students when it is meaningful and not excessive.
Opponents argue that too much homework causes stress, cuts into sleep and family time, and widens gaps between students who have help at home and those who do not.
Many educators now recommend a balanced approach: short, purposeful assignments, with more time for reading, play and rest.
| The Clockmaker’s Apprentice | Should Homework Be Banned? | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre and purpose | ||
| Central idea or theme | ||
| How the author develops it | ||
| Key evidence or detail |
Worksheets › Grade 6 English › Integration of Knowledge & Ideas › Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Free Grade 6 English worksheet (Common Core RL.6.9): compare "The Clockmaker’s Apprentice" with "Should Homework Be Banned?" and analyze how each develops its ideas. Skill: Compare texts and evaluate arguments. Level: Grade 6 — also suits Year 7 (UK).
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It is designed for Grade 6 (ages 11–12), but use it with any child who is ready.
Compare texts and evaluate arguments.
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All 5 integration of knowledge & ideas sheets → · Grade 6 English: all 10 skills → · All Common Core grades
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