Language arts

Reading: mark the text, then answer with evidence.

Strong readers leave a trail. They box academic verbs, underline names and numbers, star the author’s claim, and write a margin note that starts with “because.”

Informational text

Main idea is the author’s most important point, not a topic word. Supporting details must be in the passage. Inference is a conclusion that is not stated but is backed by two pieces of text evidence. Students answer in a complete sentence that includes a word from the question prompt so the response is aligned.

Literature

Theme is a message about life that the story supports, not a one-word topic like “friendship.” Character motivation is inferred from what a character does and says. Cite a line or paragraph number when the teacher requires it.