Make Room for Choice at Lunch
The lunch bell rings, and students pour out of class. Some want to run outside. Others want to draw comics, talk about music, or simply sit with friends. Yet at many schools, everyone has the same limited choices for the whole break. Schools should give students more ways to spend their lunch breaks, including a quiet indoor space and an active outdoor space.
First, students need different kinds of rest. After a morning of lessons, a game of basketball can help some students release energy. But someone who has spent the morning working in a noisy classroom might want a calmer place. A student could read a comic, sketch a character, or chat quietly with a friend. Neither choice is better than the other. Both can give students a break before afternoon classes.
More choices can also help students find friends who share their interests. In a quiet room, two students might discover that they both enjoy K-pop and start talking about their favorite songs. Outside, students who like sports could invite others into a game. A shared interest can make it easier to start a conversation, especially for someone who is new to the school or still learning English.
- release:
- To let out or use up something, such as energy.
- creative:
- Using imagination to make or develop something.
- concern:
- A worry about a possible problem.
- distract:
- To draw someone's attention away from what they are doing.
- supervise:
- To watch over people or activities to make sure things are safe and orderly.
- reasonable:
- Fair and sensible.
- recharge:
- To regain energy after being tired.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Fact & Opinion
Distinguish verifiable statements from judgments, beliefs, and preferences in context.
Claims & Evidence
Trace and evaluate how claims are supported by reasons and evidence.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What change does the author want schools to make at lunch?
- 2Why does the author say students need both quiet and active spaces?
You Might Also Like
About this opinion / argumentative passage for Upper Elementary
“Make Room for Choice at Lunch” is a opinion / argumentative reading passage about School Lunch Breaks, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (487 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.