We worry about a future where it is too hot or too cold and extreme environmental events become the norm. That affects our mental health now. Beth Grant hikes on a trail in Awenda Provincial Park, Ontario. Grant is a sustainability researcher in Waterloo, Canada, who...
Long after teens returned to school, the isolation they endured during lockdown had ramifications we are just now seeing. A teen sits on stairs feeling lonely. (Credit: Motortion/Getty Images) This article, by high school student Chloe Kennedy, was produced out of...
One student compared two schools in different countries and found that where the focus was on academics over community, students were more satisfied. What’s that all about? Students discuss amongst each other in a classroom. (Credit: FatCamera/Getty Images)...
Some school districts across the world find that one day less of classes per week can produce more effective learning. But not everyone is convinced. Girls in school uniforms head to classes. A calendar column shows that Mondays are off. (Illustration by Kaja Andrić)...
In an excellent piece written by high schooler Devon Chipman of News Decoder partner The Tatnall School, we consider the pros and cons of a four-day school week. Develop students’ critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills using this youth voice story.
Exercise: Before reading the article, ask your students whether or not they support a four-day school week. Then, read the article together and see if opinions have changed. After this initial discussion, facilitate a class debate on whether or not to implement a four-day school week at your school. Students should take on different personas in the debate to argue a perspective they may not personally agree with — school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students, college admission officers, etc. Each student contribution during the debate should incorporate evidence from the article.