Opinion Writing: Should the School Week Be Shortened to Four Days? (4th Grade)
Directions: Read the sources. Then answer the on-demand prompt.
Group 1
Use the information from the sources to help you form your opinion.
Source 1.1
Source 2
Should We Have a Four-Day School Week?
What if school only happened four days a week instead of five? Some schools across the United States are trying this idea. Students would go to school Monday through Thursday and have Fridays off every week. While that might sound exciting, there are both good and bad sides to this kind of schedule. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of a four-day school week.
One of the biggest benefits is that students would get more time to rest. Many kids feel tired by the end of the week, and an extra day off could help them feel more refreshed and ready to learn. A longer weekend also means more time for hobbies, sports, family time, or doctor appointments—without missing school. Schools could save money too. They would spend less on electricity, bus fuel, and food if buildings are closed an extra day. Some people also believe that both students and teachers would feel less stressed. Teachers would have more time to plan lessons and grade work, which could help make school a better experience for everyone.
However, there are also some downsides. If schools are open only four days a week, they still need to fit in the same amount of learning time. That means each school day would need to be longer—maybe an hour or more. Long days can be tiring, especially for younger kids who may find it hard to concentrate for that long. Students would also have fewer days to review lessons and practice skills, which might make it harder to keep up, especially in subjects like math and reading. A four-day school week can also create challenges for families. Many parents work five days a week and may need to find childcare on the extra day off. That could be difficult and expensive. In addition, students who rely on school for meals would miss one day of breakfast or lunch, which could be hard for some families.
A four-day school week has some exciting advantages, but it also brings some real challenges. More rest and fun time sound great, but longer school days and childcare issues may not work for everyone. Every school and community is different, so this decision depends on what's best for the people involved.
What do you think? Would a four-day school week be a good idea for your school? Why or why not?
Question 1a
Do you believe the school week should be shortened to four days? Write an opinion piece to explain your thinking. Use evidence from the texts to support your reasons.
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