Central Idea
Supporting Details
Text Evidence
Text Connections
ELA Challenge
100

What is a topic?

The general subject of a text.

100

What is a supporting detail?

A specific fact or example developing a central idea.

100

What is textual evidence?

Words or details drawn from a text.

100

What does individual↔individual mean?

A relationship between people or groups in a text.

100

Topic or central idea: “flooding”?


Topic.

200

Is “school gardens” a topic or central idea?

Topic.

200

Name one supporting detail from the garden passage.

Science classes measured sunlight and soil moisture.

200

What makes evidence strong?

It directly and convincingly supports the analysis or inference.

200

Give an individual↔event connection in the flood passage.

City workers responded to flooding by closing the road.

200

Revise “This text is about a garden” into a central idea.

The school garden builds practical learning and teamwork.

300

State the central idea of A School Garden Changes Lunch.

The garden teaches food production and strengthens teamwork.

300

Why is a watering schedule relevant to teamwork?

Students must coordinate responsibilities.

300

Cite a detail showing school support during the flood.

The school opened its gym for families.

300

Explain an event↔event connection in the flood passage.

Heavy rain caused creek overflow and road closure.

300

A logical conclusion supported by text evidence.

Write an objective two-sentence summary of the flood passage.

400

Explain how two details develop that central idea.


Students measure soil/sunlight and organize watering, demonstrating learning and cooperation.

400

Choose the strongest two details for the garden’s learning benefit.

Measurement of growing conditions and harvesting produce for tasting.

400

Which is stronger for cooperation: “it rained” or “neighbors shared information and resources”?

Neighbors shared information and resources; directly supports cooperation.

400

Explain an idea↔event connection in the garden passage.

Teamwork is demonstrated by the shared watering schedule.

400

Cite strong evidence and explain a connection that develops the flood passage’s central idea.

Example: School opened gym, volunteers helped residents; their coordinated actions support community preparedness.

500

Distinguish an objective summary from a personal reaction.


Objective summary states key ideas without opinions.

500

Explain how a sequence of details develops the message from planting to harvest.


Shows sustained learning through planning, tending, harvesting and sharing.

500

Use two details from flood passage to infer why residents got help quickly.


Volunteers moved supplies and school offered shelter; coordinated response sped assistance.

500

Explain how individuals, ideas and events combine to develop the flood passage message.


Workers, volunteers, school and neighbors respond to flooding, showing planning/cooperation reduces harm.

500

Cite strong evidence and explain a connection that develops the flood passage’s central idea.

Example: School opened gym, volunteers helped residents; their coordinated actions support community preparedness.