1. Give our children a break
Proofreading
RLS 2006

2. We know which movement we are talking about.
81. However, one of the less-noticed effects of movement for 82. greater accountability has been that children opportunities for free time and 83. to interact their peers, especially during breaks, have been eliminated
Movement: A gradual development or change of attitude, public policy or opinion.
We know which movement we are talking about.
Add “the” before “movement”.

3. Replace “children” with “children’s”.
81. However, one of the less-noticed effects of movement for 82. greater accountability has been that children opportunities for free time and 83. to interact their peers, especially during breaks, have been eliminated
These opportunities for free time and interaction belong to the children.
Replace “children” with “children’s”.

4. What preposition follows “interact”?
81. However, one of the less-noticed effects of movement for 82. greater accountability has been that children opportunities for free time and 83. to interact their peers, especially during breaks, have been eliminated
What preposition follows “interact”?
Hint: A person cannot interact alone.
Add “with” after interact.

5. The word many tells us that it should be plural.
84. or diminished in many system in countries such as the United States, Canada 85. and the Britain. While it may seem like common sense that reducing
System is countable.
The word many tells us that it should be plural.
Replace “system” with “systems”.

6. We say “the United Kingdom” and “the U.K.” but we don’t say …
84. or diminished in many system in countries such as the United States, Canada 85. and the Britain. While it may seem like common sense that reducing
We say “the United Kingdom” and “the U.K.” but we don’t say …
Delete “the” before “Britain”.
You can also replace “the” with “Great” (Britain).

7. Replace “it” with “there”.
86. break time would have a positive effect on pupils' achievement, it is 87. no evidence to support this. On a contrary, although many educators recognise 88. the important of teaching skills and maximising the efficient use of class time
“it is no…” is not the correct structure to say that something exists or doesn’t exist.
Replace “it” with “there”.

8. There can be only one opposite to something.
86. break time would have a positive effect on pupils' achievement, it is 87. no evidence to support this. On a contrary, although many educators recognise 88. the important of teaching skills and maximising the efficient use of class time
There can be only one opposite to something.
Replace “a” with “the” in front of “contrary”.

9. “the” must be followed by a noun.
86. break time would have a positive effect on pupils' achievement, it is 87. no evidence to support this. On a contrary, although many educators recognise 88. the important of teaching skills and maximising the efficient use of class (time)
“the” must be followed by a noun.
“important” is an adjective and there is no noun after it.
Replace “important” with “importance”.

10. “to” can be part of the “to – infinitive” structure.
89. time, they also recommend breaks to allow children to relaxing. 90. There can be common ground between this two positions. Indeed, far 91. too many policies recommended for primary schools have none scientific basis.
“to” can be a preposition, in which case it is followed by the –ing form.
“to” can be part of the “to – infinitive” structure.
Which structure will follow “allow”?
Replace “relaxing” with “relax”.

11. There are two positions. Replace “this” with “these”.
89. time, they also recommend breaks to allow children to relaxing. 90. There can be common ground between this two positions. Indeed, far 91. too many policies recommended for primary schools have none scientific basis.
There are two positions.
Replace “this” with “these”.

12. Replace “none” with “no”.
89. time, they also recommend breaks to allow children to relaxing. 90. There can be common ground between this two positions. Indeed, far 91. too many policies recommended for primary schools have none scientific basis.
Replace “none” with “no”.

13. What is the subject of the verb “maximises”?
92. I am unaware of any data supporting the idea that eliminate breaks maximises 93. children's attention to classroom tasks. A fact, experimental research supports 95. the argument that children more attentive to classroom tasks after a break.
What is the subject of the verb “maximises”?
“Eliminate” cannot be a subject.
Replace “eliminate” with “eliminating”.

14. Replace “A” with “In” before “fact”.
92. I am unaware of any data supporting the idea that eliminate breaks maximises 93. children's attention to classroom tasks. A fact, experimental research supports 95. the argument that children more attentive to classroom tasks after a break.
We use “____ fact” when we want to introduce or draw attention to a comment that contradicts a previous statement.
Replace “A” with “In” before “fact”.

15. “attentive” is an adjective used to describe “children”.
92. I am unaware of any data supporting the idea that eliminate breaks maximises 93. children's attention to classroom tasks. A fact, experimental research supports 95. the argument that children more attentive to classroom tasks after a break.
“attentive” is an adjective used to describe “children”.
We need the verb “to be”.
Add “are” before “more”.

16. This is the present tense. It should be in the active voice.
96. Some studies conducted are suggest that students' attention to 97. classroom work is maximised when study periods are short and following by breaks.
This is the present tense.
It should be in the active voice.
Delete “are”.

17. Classroom work is maximised when … 1. Study periods are short.
96. Some studies conducted are suggest that students' attention to 97. classroom work is maximised when study periods are short and following by breaks.
Classroom work is maximised when …
1. Study periods are short.
2. Breaks follow the study periods.
The sentence is written in the passive voice.
Replace “following” with “followed”.

18. “for examples” is not the correct expression.
98. breaks. In most East Asian primary schools, for examples, children are given a minutes break regularly every 40 minutes or so. When these 100. children had come back, they seem more attentive and are more ready to work.
“for examples” is not the correct expression.
Replace “examples” with “example”.

19. “10-minutes” is an adjective describing the “break”.
98. breaks. In most East Asian primary schools, for examples, children are given a minutes break regularly every 40 minutes or so. When these 100. children had come back, they seem more attentive and are more ready to work.
“10-minutes” is an adjective describing the “break”.
Adjectives are never plural.
Replace “10-minutes” with “10-minute”.

20. “had come” is the past perfect of “come”. Delete “had”.
98. breaks. In most East Asian primary schools, for examples, children are given a minutes break regularly every 40 minutes or so. When these 100. children had come back, they seem more attentive and are more ready to work.
This sentence is describing an observation that would seem to always be true.
“had come” is the past perfect of “come”.
Delete “had”.