Question

Reading Passage: "Extended Recess Time"
Students should be allowed to have extra recess time at school because research shows that recess improves students’ physical health, focus, and social development.
First, extra recess helps students get the physical activity they need to stay healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children need regular physical activity during the school day to support healthy growth and reduce stress (“Recess in Schools”). Studies also show that students are more attentive and focused in class after being physically active, which helps them learn more effectively.
Second, recess helps students develop important social skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that unstructured play during recess allows students to practice cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving with peers (Council on School Health). These skills are important for building positive relationships and improving behavior in the classroom.
Because research shows that recess supports both academic learning and social growth, schools should provide students with extra recess time. More recess helps students stay healthier, work better with others, and return to class ready to learn.

Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recess in Schools. CDC, www.cdc.gov.
Council on School Health. The Crucial Role of Recess in School. American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org.
Part A
Based on the previous passage, "Extended Recess Time," answer the following questions below. Be sure to write in complete sentences using proper grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

1.What is the claim the author is making?
2. List two reasons the author gives to support the claim.
3. Find one piece of evidence the author uses to support each reason.
4. How does the conclusion restate or support the claim?
Part B
Based on your answers to the previous question, write a well-written paragraph combining your findings (stating the claim, reasons, evidence, and conclusion.) Be sure you are using proper grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation

Answer 1

Part A

1. The author’s claim is that students should be allowed to have extra recess time at school because recess improves their physical health, focus, and social development.

2. The author gives two reasons to support the claim: extra recess provides needed physical activity that helps students stay healthy and be more attentive, and recess helps students develop important social skills.

3. To support the first reason, the author cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says children need regular physical activity during the school day to support healthy growth and reduce stress. To support the second reason, the author cites the American Academy of Pediatrics, which explains that unstructured play during recess allows students to practice cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving.

4. The conclusion restates and supports the claim by summarizing the research-based benefits of recess and by explicitly recommending that schools provide extra recess time so students can stay healthier, work better with others, and return to class ready to learn.

Part B

The author argues that students should be allowed extra recess time at school because recess improves physical health, attention, and social development. The first reason given is that extra recess provides the physical activity children need to support healthy growth and reduce stress; the author supports this with a citation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The second reason is that recess fosters social skills like cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving; the author supports this with a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the benefits of unstructured play. The conclusion restates these points and recommends that schools provide more recess so students remain healthier, build better social skills, and return to class ready to learn.