• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choosing the best topic sentence; Citing textual evidence). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. ___ Some wear school-branded hoodies, others prefer plain jumpers, and a few would happily scrap uniform altogether. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Jumpers can be washed easily. / Students have very different views about school uniform. / Hoodies are warm. / Uniforms come in many colours.) → Students have very different views about school uniform.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?
2. Topic sentence: "Recycling at home is easier than many families think." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Most councils collect sorted recycling every week. / Rinsing containers takes only a few seconds. / A labelled box by the bin makes sorting quick. / Plastic was first invented in the 1800s.) → Plastic was first invented in the 1800s.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. Topic sentence: "Sleep is essential for learning." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (During sleep, the brain stores what we learned that day. / Tired students find it harder to concentrate. / Some beds are more expensive than others. / Teenagers need around eight to ten hours a night.) → Some beds are more expensive than others.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Choosing the detail that best supports a point. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Point: "Our school canteen should offer more plant-based meals." Which detail best supports this point?
• Step 1: The best support is relevant (about the point) and specific (facts, figures, examples).
• Step 2: Survey evidence directly shows demand for the change.
• Step 3: So the answer is: In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week.
• Answer: In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Point: "Short breaks during study sessions improve concentration." Which detail best supports this point? (Some students study in their bedrooms. / Timers can be bought cheaply. / Breaks are popular with everyone. / Students who took a five-minute break every half hour made fewer errors in an experiment than those who studied without stopping.) → Students who took a five-minute break every half hour made fewer errors in an experiment than those who studied without stopping.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?
2. Read the question and choose. Point: "Learning a second language has benefits." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Spanish has many speakers. • Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. • My aunt went to Portugal. • Some languages use different alphabets. (Spanish has many speakers. / Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. / My aunt went to Portugal. / Some languages use different alphabets.) → Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the question and choose. Point: "Learning a second language has benefits." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Some languages use different alphabets. • My aunt went to Portugal. • Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. • Spanish has many speakers. (Some languages use different alphabets. / My aunt went to Portugal. / Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. / Spanish has many speakers.) → Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?
2. Point: "Dogs can be trained to help people with medical conditions." Which detail best supports this point? (Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start. / Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago. / Dogs come in hundreds of breeds. / My neighbour's dog barks at the postman.) → Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.