• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Finding and retrieving information). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. The town library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays. When does the library close on Saturdays? (9 a.m. / It is closed all day. / 5 p.m. / 2 p.m.) → 2 p.m.Prompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.
2. To make a paper boat, fold a sheet of paper in half. Fold the corners down to make a triangle. Then fold up the bottom edges and open out the middle. What shape do you make after folding the corners? (a triangle / a star / a circle / a square) → a trianglePrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.
3. The blue whale is the largest animal that has ever lived. It can grow longer than two buses and eats tiny shrimp-like animals called krill. What do blue whales eat? (seaweed / sharks / fish / krill) → krillPrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Fact and opinion. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: A: Paris is the capital of France. B: Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. Which sentence is an opinion?
• Step 1: Arguments have a claim supported by reasons and evidence.
• Step 2: So the answer is: B
• Answer: B
• 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. A: Spiders have eight legs. B: Spiders are the creepiest animals. Which sentence is a fact? (A / B) → APrompt: What is the writer's main claim?
2. A: Chocolate ice cream is the best flavour. B: Ice cream is made with milk or cream. Which sentence is a fact? (A / B) → BPrompt: What is the writer's main claim?

• 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 6 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. A: Football is boring to watch. B: A football team has eleven players on the pitch. Which sentence is a fact? (A / B) → BPrompt: What is the writer's main claim?
2. A: Paris is the capital of France. B: Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. Which sentence is an opinion? (A / B) → BPrompt: What is the writer's main claim?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.