5.9.D.i
The Standard
the central idea with supporting evidence
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading · The student recognizes and analyzes genre-specific characteristics, structures, and purposes within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse texts.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify the main point an author makes in an informational text. They choose relevant facts, examples, or explanations and tell how those details support that point.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students state the central idea as a complete thought, not just a topic. They select strong evidence from different parts of the text and explain how each detail supports that idea.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often name a one-word topic instead of stating what the author says about it. They may choose an interesting detail that does not support the central idea or treat every detail as equally useful. Some copy a sentence without explaining how it supports their answer.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short informational paragraph and ask, "What is the central idea? List two details that best support it."
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups a central idea card and detail strips, then have them sort the strips into supporting and unrelated evidence.
Ask students to write one sentence explaining why a chosen detail supports the central idea better than another detail.
Play Evidence Match, where pairs connect central idea cards to supporting details and earn points by defending each match.
Read a school lunch menu notice, identify its central idea, and highlight two details families need to know.
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