CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2b

ELA5th GradeText Types and Purposes

The Standard

Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students build an informational paragraph by choosing details that fit the topic. They use reliable information and explain how it helps the reader understand the subject.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students choose accurate facts, examples, definitions, details, or quotations that clearly support their topic. They explain each piece of information instead of dropping it into the paragraph without context.
Common Misconceptions: Students may add interesting information that does not support the main idea. They may list facts or quotations without explaining how each one connects to the topic.
How to Assess It: Give students the claim, “Our school should plant a garden,” and four evidence choices. Ask them to select two strong details and explain each connection.

Lesson moves

Give groups topic cards and evidence strips, then have them sort each strip into strong support, weak support, or unrelated information.
Ask students to write which detail best supports a paragraph about recycling, then explain their choice to a partner.
Play Evidence Match by having teams pair topic sentences with supporting facts, examples, definitions, and quotations.
Use a school lunch menu and nutrition chart to write a paragraph explaining which lunch offers the most balanced meal.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

Keep exploring

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