• 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. ___ Walking or cycling saves money, keeps you fit and reduces traffic outside the school gates. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Traffic is sometimes heavy. / Bicycles have two wheels. / Some people live far away. / There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school.) → There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school.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. / Chess was probably invented in India. / Board games build problem-solving skills. / Several teachers have already offered to help.) → Chess was probably invented in India.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. ___ 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 was invented a long time ago. / Some stadiums are huge. / 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?

• 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: "Reading for pleasure helps young people do better at school." Which detail best supports this point? (Some people prefer audiobooks. / Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths. / Libraries are quiet places. / Many books have colourful covers.) → 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: "The park needs more bins." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. • Many people walk their dogs there. • The park opened in 1901. • The park has a duck pond. (Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. / Many people walk their dogs there. / The park opened in 1901. / The park has a duck pond.) → 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. Point: "Short breaks during study sessions improve concentration." Which detail best supports this point? (Some students study in their bedrooms. / Timers can be bought cheaply. / Students who took a five-minute break every half hour made fewer errors in an experiment than those who studied without stopping. / 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.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. • 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. / The park opened in 1901.) → 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?

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