• 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. ___ 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? (Some trees are very tall. / Trees do far more for us than most people realise. / Floods can be dangerous. / My favourite tree is in the park.) → Trees do far more for us than most people realise.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? (Farmers sometimes rent hives to help their crops. / Without pollination, harvests of apples and almonds would fall sharply. / Bees pollinate many fruit and vegetable 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. ___ First, choose a quiet space. Next, set a timer for twenty-five minutes. Finally, take a short break before starting again. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Timers are useful in kitchens. / I don't like homework. / A few simple steps can make homework time far more productive. / Homework is set by teachers.) → A few simple steps can make homework time far more productive.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. / 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: "The park needs more bins." Which detail is MOST relevant? • The park has a duck pond. • The park opened in 1901. • Many people walk their dogs there. • Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. (The park has a duck pond. / The park opened in 1901. / Many people walk their dogs there. / Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month.) → Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month.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. Read the question and choose. Point: "The park needs more bins." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. • The park opened in 1901. • The park has a duck pond. • Many people walk their dogs there. (Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. / The park opened in 1901. / The park has a duck pond. / Many people walk their dogs there.) → Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?
2. Point: "Our school canteen should offer more plant-based meals." Which detail best supports this point? (Some students bring packed lunches. / Vegetables come in many colours. / In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week. / The canteen opens at 12.15.) → In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?

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