• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Adding, deleting and revising for purpose; Command of evidence (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. A paragraph argues that school gardens improve pupils' diets. The writer considers adding: "In one survey, pupils who grew vegetables ate 40% more vegetables at lunch." Should the writer add this sentence? (No, because surveys are never reliable. / Yes, because it introduces a counterargument. / No, because it changes the topic to surveys. / Yes, because it provides evidence for the paragraph's claim.) → Yes, because it provides evidence for the paragraph's claim.Prompt: What is the paragraph's main focus or the writer's stated goal?
2. A student claims that the poet viewed nature as indifferent to human concerns. A: "The river ran on, not caring whose names were carved upon its banks." B: "The meadow welcomed us with open arms." C: "We picnicked by the gentle stream." D: "The birds sang just for me." Which quotation most effectively illustrates the claim? (A / B / C / D) → APrompt: First decide what the answer to the question is.
3. A report on volcano safety says: "People living near volcanoes should know their evacuation routes." The writer wants to support this with a specific example. Which sentence best achieves this goal? (Volcanoes can be found on every continent. / In 1991, early evacuation saved thousands of lives near Mount Pinatubo. / Some volcanoes are dormant. / Lava is extremely hot.) → In 1991, early evacuation saved thousands of lives near Mount Pinatubo.Prompt: What is the paragraph's main focus or the writer's stated goal?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Rhetorical synthesis (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?
• Step 1: The right answer both uses accurate information from the notes and fulfils the stated goal.
• Step 2: So the answer is: As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• Answer: As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• 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. Notes: • Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. • They can regrow lost limbs, parts of their heart and even parts of their brain. • Scientists study them to learn about tissue regeneration. The student wants to explain why scientists are interested in axolotls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities. / Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders. / Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration. / Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City.) → Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?
2. Notes: • Mary Anning (1799–1847) was a fossil collector in Lyme Regis, England. • She discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton. • As a woman, she was not allowed to join the Geological Society of London. The student wants to highlight the obstacles Anning faced. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Mary Anning lived in Lyme Regis from 1799 to 1847. / Lyme Regis is in England and is known for fossils. / Mary Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton. / Despite her important discoveries, Mary Anning was barred from the Geological Society of London because she was a woman.) → Despite her important discoveries, Mary Anning was barred from the Geological Society of London because she was a woman.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?

• 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 5 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. Notes: • The Great Wall of China is over 21,000 km long. • Construction took place over many centuries. • Hadrian's Wall in Britain is about 117 km long. • It was built in about six years. The student wants to emphasise a difference in length between the two walls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Hadrian's Wall took about six years to build. / At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long. / The Great Wall was constructed over many centuries. / Both the Great Wall of China and Hadrian's Wall were built long ago.) → At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?
2. Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal? (Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010. / By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes. / As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. / Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.) → As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.Prompt: Reread the student's goal. What exactly must the sentence do?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.