You will learn
- Say why details are needed.
- Add details to a topic sentence.
- Use examples and facts.
- Check details fit the topic.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Details explain the main idea.
- Give facts, examples or descriptions.
- Use sensory words.
- Make sure every detail fits.
Words to know
a small piece of information
one case that shows something
to do with the senses
belong with the topic
1. Discover: My garden
My garden is a happy place. Red flowers grow by the gate. Bees buzz among the petals. A tall mango tree gives shade. Last week I picked three sweet mangoes. I love to play there.
Think: Which details tell about the garden?
2. Understand: Adding details
Idea 1: Why details?
The topic sentence is the main idea. Details explain it so readers can picture it.
Idea 2: Kinds of details
Use facts, examples and sensory words: what you see, hear, smell, taste, feel. Bees buzz (hear), sweet mangoes (taste).
Idea 3: Check fit
Every detail must fit the topic. A detail about football would not fit a garden paragraph.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Add
Add a detail to: My garden is happy.
- See, hear, smell.
Answer: Red flowers grow by the gate.
Example 2 (We do it together): Fit
Does I like football fit a garden paragraph?
- Does it belong?
Answer: no
Example 3 (You try): Sense
Which sense: bees buzz?
Show the steps and answer
- Hearing.
Answer: hearing
Did you know?
Writers often use all five senses to bring their writing to life.
Why this matters
Supporting details make your writing interesting and clear.
4. Explore: Add details
Add details to topic sentences.
- Read the topic sentence.
- Think of details.
- Write three.
- Check they fit.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can add details.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- My topic sentence is ___.
- One detail is ___.
- Another detail is ___.
- I can see/hear/smell ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What are details?
explain the main idea
Question 2. Name a sense.
sight
Question 3. Do details need to fit?
yes
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A small piece of information is a ___.
- One case that shows something is an ___.
- Words about the senses are ___ words.
- A detail must ___ the topic.
- Details ___ the main idea.
Level 2: Grow
- Add a detail: My room is cosy.
- Which sense: sweet mango?
- Does a football detail fit a garden paragraph?
Level 3: Stretch
- Why add details?
- Can details be examples?
- Where do details go?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write three details about your room.
Show a sample answer
three details
Another one. Write a paragraph with a topic sentence and three details.
Show a sample answer
a paragraph
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Check they fit.
Fix: Add more.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say why details matter.
- I can add details.
- I can use examples and senses.
- I can check they fit.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Details explain the main idea.
- Use facts, examples, senses.
- Make sure they fit.
- Add enough details.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Organising ideas. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is a supporting detail? [1 mark]
- Add two details to: My garden is happy. [2 marks]
- Name two senses. [2 marks]
- Why must details fit? [1 mark]
- Explain how to add details. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a piece of information that explains the main idea [1]
- detail [1]; detail [1]
- sight [1]; hearing/smell/taste/touch [1]
- to stay on topic [1]
- start with the topic sentence [1]; add facts, examples, sensory words [1]; check fit [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- A small piece of information is a ___.
- One case that shows something is an ___.
- Words about senses are ___.
- A detail must ___ the topic.
- Details ___ the main idea.
- True or false: details must fit.
- True or false: details can be off-topic.
- Add a detail: My room is cosy.
- Name a sense.
- Write two details.
Homework
Write a paragraph with three details.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A small piece of information is a ___. | detail | 1 |
| 2. One case that shows something is an ___. | example | 1 |
| 3. Words about senses are ___. | sensory | 1 |
| 4. A detail must ___ the topic. | fit | 1 |
| 5. Details ___ the main idea. | explain | 1 |
| 6. True or false: details must fit. | true | 1 |
| 7. True or false: details can be off-topic. | false | 1 |
| 8. Add a detail: My room is cosy. | My bed is soft. | 1 |
| 9. Name a sense. | sight | 1 |
| 10. Write two details. | Two details | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 detail; 2 example; 3 sensory; 4 fit; 5 explain. Level 2: 1 My bed is soft.; 2 taste; 3 no. Level 3: 1 to explain; 2 yes; 3 after the topic sentence.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say why details are needed | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Add details to a topic sentence | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use examples and facts | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Check details fit the topic | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Off-topic details. Check they fit.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use a detail web.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child adds details to paragraphs. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Ask: Tell me more.
- Read their paragraph.
- Praise detail.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say why details are needed; add details to a topic sentence; use examples and facts; check details fit the topic.
Prerequisite knowledge. Topic sentences.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Review topic sentences.
Explanation (10 min). Teach details.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise.
Independent activity (10 min). Check.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Does the detail explain the main idea?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use a web. Extension. Add figurative details.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Off-topic details. Check they fit.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use a detail web. Enrichment. Add similes. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 2 » Writing; Grade 2 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core W.2.2 and W.2.5; Cambridge Primary English Stage 2 (writing). These sources informed the lesson.