• 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. ___ Players need speed to reach the ball, stamina to last ninety minutes and the teamwork to pass accurately. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Some stadiums are huge. / Football was invented a long time ago. / I scored a goal last week. / Football demands a surprising mix of skills.) → Football demands a surprising mix of skills.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?
2. Topic sentence: "Bees are vital to our food supply." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Bees pollinate many fruit and vegetable crops. / Without pollination, harvests of apples and almonds would fall sharply. / Farmers sometimes rent hives to help their crops. / Some people are frightened of wasps.) → Some people are frightened of wasps.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Several teachers have already offered to help. / Board games build problem-solving skills. / It would give quieter students somewhere to go. / Chess was probably invented in India.) → Chess was probably invented in India.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: "The town needs a pedestrian crossing outside the primary school." Which detail best supports this point? (Many parents drive cars. / There have been four near-misses involving children at that spot this year, according to the police. / The road is called Station Road. / The school was built in 1962.) → There have been four near-misses involving children at that spot this year, according to the police.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? • 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. / 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. Point: "Reading for pleasure helps young people do better at school." Which detail best supports this point? (Some people prefer audiobooks. / Many books have colourful covers. / Libraries are quiet places. / Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths.) → Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?
2. Read the question and choose. Point: "Teenagers need more sleep than adults." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Many adults drink coffee. • Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. • Sleep is important for everyone. • Some teenagers have bunk beds. (Many adults drink coffee. / Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. / Sleep is important for everyone. / Some teenagers have bunk beds.) → Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?

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