Grade 4 · Extra practiceopinion paragraph
A Big Choice About Recess
Students read a balanced scenario about extending recess, then plan and write an opinion paragraph with a clear opinion, two reasons, supporting details, and a conclusion across four scaffolded questions, guided by teacher and homeschool notes.
Offline - with you
Print the pages for offline work together; the answer key is for you.
Start by reading the passage together and asking your child, "Should recess be 20 minutes or 40 minutes, and why?" Let them talk through their thinking out loud before writing anything — this is the easiest way to find their real opinion and reasons. A strong answer will have one clear opinion sentence, two different reasons (not the same idea twice), a specific detail or example for each reason, and a closing sentence that wraps it up; look for linking words like "because," "for example," and "also." If your child gets stuck choosing a side, have them list one good thing and one tricky thing about a longer recess from the passage, then ask which feels more important to them. If writing the full paragraph feels overwhelming, fill out the planning chart first and let them turn each box into one sentence — five boxes becomes five sentences. Praise specific reasons over general ones: "Recess is fun" is weaker than "Kids focus better in class after they run and play."
A Big Choice About Recess
At Maple Street Elementary, students get 20 minutes of recess each day. They go outside right after lunch. Some kids play tag or kickball. Others jump rope, swing, or just sit and chat with friends. Twenty minutes goes by fast, and many students wish recess lasted longer. Now, the principal is thinking about a big change. She wants to know if recess should grow from 20 minutes to 40 minutes every day. That is twice as long as recess is now! Before she decides, she asked students, teachers, and parents to share their thoughts. She wants to hear strong opinions backed up with good reasons. There are real reasons to make recess longer. Doctors say kids need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. A longer recess would help students move more and stay healthy. Many teachers also notice that students focus better in class after they run and play. Extra time outside could help kids make new friends, solve problems, and feel less stressed. Some students even say they have better ideas for writing and math after a long break. However, there are also reasons to keep recess at 20 minutes. The school day is only so long. If recess grows by 20 minutes, that time has to come from somewhere else. Students might lose minutes from reading, science, or art. Lunch could also get tricky. Right now, three grades eat at the same time. A longer recess might mean some classes wait until 1:00 to eat, and that is very late for hungry kids. Teachers also worry about getting students back inside and calm enough to learn. Both sides of this choice have strong points. A longer recess could mean healthier, happier students. A shorter recess leaves more time for lessons and keeps lunch on schedule. The principal cannot please everyone, so she needs help thinking it through. That is where students come in. The principal asked every fourth grader to write an opinion paragraph. Each paragraph should tell what the writer thinks, give two clear reasons, and add details that support those reasons. The principal promised to read every single one before she makes her final decision. What do you think she should do? It is your turn to share your opinion and back it up with strong reasons.
What this lesson checks
- Writing plan: Read this part of the passage again: "There are real reasons to make recess longer. Doctors say kids need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. A longer recess would help students move more and stay healthy." Pretend you are the writer and keep going in the same voice. Write 2-3 sentences that add ONE more reason why recess should be longer. Use a linking word like also, because, or for example, and include a detail that supports your reason.
- Writing plan: Now try the same kind of writing about a new topic! Imagine your principal is thinking about adding a 15-minute silent reading time to every school day. Write 2-3 sentences that share your opinion about this idea. Just like the model, start with a clear opinion sentence, then give ONE reason using a linking word (because, also, or for example), and add a detail that supports your reason.
- Writing plan: Read this short opinion paragraph a student wrote for the principal: "I think recess should be longer. Recess should be 40 minutes because kids need time to move and stay healthy. For example, doctors say kids need 60 minutes of exercise every day, and a longer recess would help us get closer to that goal. Also, students focus better in class after they run and play. One time, my whole class came back from recess ready to read quietly and finish our math." This paragraph has a clear opinion, two reasons with linking words, and supporting details. But it is missing ONE important part: a concluding sentence that wraps up the opinion. Write ONE concluding sentence (1 sentence) that could be added to the end of this paragraph. Your sentence should restate the writer's opinion in a new way and give the paragraph a strong ending.
- Writing plan: A student wrote this weak draft about recess: "Recess should be longer. It would be good." This draft has an opinion, but it is missing a reason and a supporting detail. Revise the draft into 3-4 stronger sentences. Keep the same opinion, but add ONE clear reason using a linking word (because, also, or for example) and ONE detail that supports your reason. Make sure your writing sounds like a Grade 4 opinion paragraph.