• 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? (Students have very different views about school uniform. / Jumpers can be washed easily. / 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: "Sleep is essential for learning." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Tired students find it harder to concentrate. / During sleep, the brain stores what we learned that day. / 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?
3. ___ Many apps use bright notifications, endless scrolling and rewards to keep users coming back. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Notifications can be turned off in settings. / Phones have screens. / Scrolling is a word for moving down a page. / Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention.) → Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention.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: "Short breaks during study sessions improve concentration." Which detail best supports this point? (Timers can be bought cheaply. / Breaks are popular with everyone. / 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.) → 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: "Teenagers need more sleep than adults." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. • Sleep is important for everyone. • Many adults drink coffee. • Some teenagers have bunk beds. (Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. / Sleep is important for everyone. / 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: "Wildflower verges help bees." Which detail best supports this point? (Bees can sting. / Counts along one road found three times as many bees after the verges were left to flower. / Mowing verges is noisy. / Some wildflowers are purple.) → Counts along one road found three times as many bees after the verges were left to flower.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? • Some games are very expensive. • The first video game console went on sale in 1972. • Many games have beautiful music. • Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead. (Some games are very expensive. / The first video game console went on sale in 1972. / Many games have beautiful music. / Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead.) → 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.