Topic: Students would benefit from a shorter school day.
Make 2 paragraphs of 5 sentences with a supporting detail, evidence (Author is Bonnie Wood), and explanation supporting the topic using the passage below.
Students are in school about seven hours a day. After school, many of these students participate in extra-curricular activities, such as sports, clubs, theater or volunteering. Although academic work is vital, these extra-curricular activities are also significant for students because they teach responsibility and teamwork. In fact, most colleges require a wide variety of activities for incoming freshman students. But these important activities are often squeezed out by time in school and with homework. The educational system should focus on forming well-founded persons, but students are instead focusing primarily on intellectual pursuits. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating.
Students Should Be Getting More Rest
In addition to students having more time to focus on important activities, a shorter school day would give them more time to rest. According to WebMD, children between the ages of 12 to 18 need at least eight hours of sleep each night, sometimes even nine. In addition, many schools begin very early in the day, as early as 7:30 a.m. To get the recommended amount of sleep, students may have to go to bed around 9 or 10 p.m. The reality, though, is between time in school and time doing homework, students don't have the time to spend on other activities, friends and fun, let alone getting the sleep they desperately need. A later start would help students receive the rest that doctors recommend.
Wood supports the idea of a shorter school day by highlighting the importance of extra-curricular activities in student development. She acknowledges the significance of these activities in teaching responsibility, teamwork, and providing a well-rounded education. By shortening the school day, students would have more time to engage in these activities, which are often sacrificed due to long hours in school and heavy homework loads.
Furthermore, Wood provides evidence from WebMD regarding the need for sufficient sleep for adolescents. With schools starting early in the morning, students often struggle to get the recommended eight to nine hours of sleep each night. A shorter school day would allow students to have more time for rest, which is crucial for their overall health and well-being. By prioritizing the physical and mental health of students, a shorter school day could lead to more well-rested and balanced individuals.