• 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. ___ 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? (A few simple steps can make homework time far more productive. / Timers are useful in kitchens. / Homework is set by teachers. / I don't like homework.) → A few simple steps can make homework time far more productive.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? (Bees pollinate many fruit and vegetable crops. / Without pollination, harvests of apples and almonds would fall sharply. / Some people are frightened of wasps. / Farmers sometimes rent hives to help their crops.) → Some people are frightened of wasps.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. ___ Walking or cycling saves money, keeps you fit and reduces traffic outside the school gates. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school. / Bicycles have two wheels. / Traffic is sometimes heavy. / Some people live far away.) → There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school.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. / 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. / 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: "Teenagers need more sleep than adults." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Some teenagers have bunk beds. • Many adults drink coffee. • Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. • Sleep is important for everyone. (Some teenagers have bunk beds. / Many adults drink coffee. / Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. / Sleep is important for everyone.) → 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: "Dogs can be trained to help people with medical conditions." Which detail best supports this point? (Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start. / My neighbour's dog barks at the postman. / Dogs come in hundreds of breeds. / Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago.) → Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start.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? • The first video game console went on sale in 1972. • Some games are very expensive. • Many games have beautiful music. • Puzzle games require players to plan several steps ahead. (The first video game console went on sale in 1972. / Some games are very expensive. / 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.