Prairie River Academy

English Language Arts

Grade 7Unit 1Lesson 2

Close reading routines

Select Evidence, Not Decoration

Today: Choose evidence because it proves the claim, not because it sounds impressive.

A

Begin

Warm-up

  1. 1.Define relevant.

  2. 2.Which detail suggests hesitation?

B

Learn

Select Evidence, Not Decoration

Relevant evidence bears directly on a claim. Vivid language may be interesting but weak if the reasoning cannot connect it.

State the claim, test each candidate detail with 'This proves…,' and retain the detail with the clearest logical connection.

Study the model

Claim about hesitation → pause and unfinished action, not unrelated weather description

C

Read

Original PRA passage

Jon signed the form, then held the pen above the paper until a drop of ink spread beneath the final letter. Outside, bicycles flashed past the window.
ELA-7-01-02-01Original Prairie River Academy curriculumELA-7-01-02-01

Prairie River Academy

Select Evidence, Not Decoration

Grade 7Practice and apply
D

Practice

Read, think, and respond

  1. 1.What claim does the pen detail support? ELA-7-01-02-Q1

  2. 2.Is the bicycle detail relevant to that claim? ELA-7-01-02-Q2

  3. 3.What does the ink add? ELA-7-01-02-Q3

  4. 4.Write a different claim the bicycle detail might support. ELA-7-01-02-Q4

E

Apply

Use the lesson

Rank three details from strongest to weakest for a claim about hesitation.

ELA-7-01-02-02Original Prairie River Academy curriculumELA-7-01-02-02