• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choose the best summary of a short text; Finding and retrieving information). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Octopuses are clever problem-solvers. In aquariums they have unscrewed jar lids to reach food and escaped from their tanks. Scientists think their large brains and flexible arms help them explore and learn. Which is the best summary? (Octopuses are scary. / Octopuses live in aquariums. / One octopus opened a jar. / Octopuses are smart animals that can solve problems, helped by their large brains and flexible arms.) → Octopuses are smart animals that can solve problems, helped by their large brains and flexible arms.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.
2. To make a paper boat, fold a sheet of paper in half. Fold the corners down to make a triangle. Then fold up the bottom edges and open out the middle. What shape do you make after folding the corners? (a circle / a star / a triangle / a square) → a trianglePrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.
3. Wind turbines turn moving air into electricity. The wind spins the blades, which turn a generator inside the tower. Wind power does not burn fuel, so it does not release smoke, but turbines only work when the wind blows. Which is the best summary? (Wind turbines are the best invention ever. / There is a generator in the tower. / Turbines have blades. / Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.) → Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Which sentence from the text best supports the answer?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Mira's robot kept bumping into walls. She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas. On Friday, it rolled smoothly round the whole room. Which sentence best shows that Mira does not give up?
• Step 1: The best evidence directly proves the point. Other sentences may be true but do not support the claim as well.
• Step 2: So the answer is: She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas.
• Answer: She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas.
• 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. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor. Yet about a quarter of all ocean species depend on them for food or shelter. Reefs are built by tiny animals called coral polyps. Which sentence best supports the idea that coral reefs are very important to sea life? (Reefs are built by tiny animals called coral polyps. / Yet about a quarter of all ocean species depend on them for food or shelter. / Coral can be many colours. / Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor.) → Yet about a quarter of all ocean species depend on them for food or shelter.Prompt: Read the claim in the question first.
2. Mira's robot kept bumping into walls. She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas. On Friday, it rolled smoothly round the whole room. Which sentence best shows that Mira does not give up? (Mira's robot kept bumping into walls. / She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas. / Mira has a brother. / On Friday, it rolled smoothly round the whole room.) → She rewrote the code three times, tested it every evening and asked her brother for ideas.Prompt: Read the claim in the question first.

• 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. Zara checked the weather app twice. She packed a raincoat, rain boots and a spare pair of socks. "You never know," she said, glancing at the grey sky. Which sentence best shows that Zara is well prepared? (Zara likes the rain. / She packed a raincoat, rain boots and a spare pair of socks. / Zara checked the weather app twice. / "You never know," she said.) → She packed a raincoat, rain boots and a spare pair of socks.Prompt: Read the claim in the question first.
2. The town council asked people what to do with the empty car park. Most people voted for a skate park. Others wanted a community garden. In the end, the council built both, side by side. Which sentence best shows that the council listened to more than one group? (Most people voted for a skate park. / The council asked people what to do. / In the end, the council built both, side by side. / The car park was empty.) → In the end, the council built both, side by side.Prompt: Read the claim in the question first.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.