• 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? (Football demands a surprising mix of skills. / Some stadiums are huge. / I scored a goal last week. / Football was invented a long time ago.) → Football demands a surprising mix of skills.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?
2. Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (It would give quieter students somewhere to go. / Several teachers have already offered to help. / Board games build problem-solving skills. / Chess was probably invented in India.) → Chess was probably invented in India.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. ___ They give us oxygen, provide homes for wildlife and cool cities on hot days. Some even help prevent floods by soaking up rainwater. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Floods can be dangerous. / My favourite tree is in the park. / Some trees are very tall. / Trees do far more for us than most people realise.) → Trees do far more for us than most people realise.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?

• 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: "Dogs can be trained to help people with medical conditions." Which detail best supports this point? (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. / Dogs come in hundreds of breeds. / Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago.) → 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?
2. Read the question and choose. Point: "Teenagers need more sleep than adults." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Sleep is important for everyone. • Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. • Many adults drink coffee. • Some teenagers have bunk beds. (Sleep is important for everyone. / Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. / Many adults drink coffee. / 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?

• 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 8 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: "Short breaks during study sessions improve concentration." Which detail best supports this point? (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. / Some students study in their bedrooms.) → 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: "Video games can build useful skills." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead. • Many games have beautiful music. • The first video game console went on sale in 1972. • Some games are very expensive. (Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead. / Many games have beautiful music. / The first video game console went on sale in 1972. / Some games are very expensive.) → Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead.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.