English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Identify supporting details in informational texts
Identify supporting details in informational texts
What you'll learn
- Identify at least three supporting details in a short informational text about animals.
- Explain how each supporting detail helps to prove the main idea of a paragraph in an informational text.
- List two different types of supporting details (facts, examples, statistics) found in an informational text about a historical event.
- Apply the strategy of underlining to identify supporting details in an informational text and accurately highlight at least 80% of the key details.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'main idea' and 'supporting detail' in their own words.
Distinguish between a main idea and a supporting detail within a paragraph.
Identify at least three different types of supporting details: facts, examples, and descriptions.
Locate and list three supporting details for a given main idea in a short informational text.
Explain how an author's specific word choice in a supporting detail creates a particular 'shade of meaning'.
Use signal words (e.g., 'for example,' 'in addition') to help locate supporting details.
Ever tried to describe your favorite video game to a friend? 🤔 The specific things you mention—the cool characters, the tricky levels, the awesome graphics—are all supporting detai...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Main IdeaThe most important point the author is making about a topic. It's the big idea the whole paragraph or text is about.In a paragraph about dogs, the main idea might be: 'Dogs make excellent companions for many reasons.'
Supporting DetailA sentence or phrase that gives more information to explain, prove, or describe the main idea.If the main idea is 'Dogs make excellent companions,' a supporting detail could be: 'They are very loyal to their owners.'
FactA statement that can be proven to be true with evidence.A supporting detail that is a fact: 'The Earth revolves around the Sun.'
ExampleA specific person, place, thing, or event that shows what the author means.A supporting detail that is an example: 'Some anima...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Tabletop and Legs Method
Main Idea = Tabletop. Supporting Details = Legs.
Think of the main idea as a flat tabletop. It can't stand on its own. The supporting details are the strong legs that hold it up and give it a solid foundation. Every leg must connect directly to the tabletop to be useful.
Look for Signal Words
Authors often use signal or transition words to introduce a supporting detail.
When you see words like 'for example,' 'for instance,' 'in addition,' 'another reason,' 'also,' 'furthermore,' or 'because,' it's a strong clue that a supporting detail is coming right up.
The 5 W's and H Test
Ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Good supporting details often answer thes...
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Challenging
An author is writing a paragraph with the main idea: 'The castle stood as a defiant symbol of strength.' Which supporting detail uses the most precise 'shade of meaning' to reinforce this idea of defiance and strength?
A.The castle's stone walls were very tall.
B.The castle was positioned on top of a hill.
C.The castle's formidable towers jutted into the sky, challenging the clouds.
D.There were many windows in the castle from which to see the view.
Challenging
Read the paragraph: 'The old ship was a ghost on the water. Its tattered sails hung like limp rags, barely catching the faint breeze. A thick fog crept around the hull, muffling all sound and blurring its edges. The weathered wood, scarred by a hundred voyages, seemed to whisper tales of the deep.' What is the author’s primary purpose in choosing these specific supporting details?
A.To provide a factual list of the ship's parts.
B.To persuade the reader to buy a new ship.
C.To create a mysterious and eerie shade of meaning that supports the 'ghost' idea.
D.To explain the history of sea travel in a clear, simple way.
Challenging
Main Idea: The city market was a chaotic but vibrant place. Which of the following supporting details is the WEAKEST because it relies on a vague opinion rather than a strong fact, example, or description?
A.Merchants shouted, trying to be heard over the roar of the crowd.
B.The air was thick with the conflicting smells of exotic spices and fresh fish.
C.It was a really interesting place to visit on a Saturday.
D.rainbow of colorful fabrics and produce was piled high on every table.
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Identify supporting details in informational texts is a Grade 5 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify supporting details in informational texts?
You'll be able to: Identify at least three supporting details in a short informational text about animals; Explain how each supporting detail helps to prove the main idea of a paragraph in an informational text; List two different types of….
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This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.