Main Idea First: Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

About This Resource

A free Grade 5 ESL writing worksheet on building a strong paragraph. Students find the topic sentence, supporting details and concluding sentence in a model paragraph about bicycles, choose the best topic sentence, cross out details that do not belong, order a paragraph and write their own paragraph from a plan. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

A good paragraph is about one main idea. The topic sentence, usually the first sentence, tells the reader what the paragraph is about. Supporting details explain or give examples, often with linking words such as first, second and finally. A concluding sentence sums up the main idea. Students read a model paragraph about why bicycles are a good way to travel, label its parts, choose the strongest topic sentence for groups of details, find details that do not belong and put a mixed-up paragraph in order. Then they plan and write a paragraph about a topic they choose.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Topic Sentences and Supporting Details
Category: Writing
File Type: PDF
File Size: 239.4 KB
Published: 12 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 5 ESL (ages 10–11), A2 45 minutes Writing paragraph structure reading organizing ideas

Student Task

Draw a table on the board: the topic sentence is the tabletop, and the details are the legs that hold it up.
Read the model paragraph and do activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Paragraph puzzle: groups put cut-up sentences of a paragraph in order.
Odd one out: read a paragraph aloud with one unrelated sentence; students stand up when they hear it.
Hamburger paragraph: students draw a burger with the topic sentence as the top bun, details as the fillings and the conclusion as the bottom bun.

Differentiation

Support: give a paragraph frame with a topic sentence and First, Second and Finally already written. Challenge: students add an example to each detail (For example, …).

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check paragraph parts (answer key included). Activity 6 shows whether students can write a well-organized paragraph.

Learning Objectives

Identify the topic sentence, supporting details and concluding sentence in a paragraph.
Choose details that support the main idea and remove details that do not.
Write a well-organized paragraph from a plan.

Teacher Tips

A good topic sentence is not too general (Things are good) and not too detailed (Bikes have two wheels). Ask students: Can I write three details about this sentence? If yes, it is a good topic sentence.

What's Included

8-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)