Which Evidence Supports Which Point
A 40-minute Grade 5 lesson on explaining how an author uses reasons and evidence, identifying which evidence supports which points.
Which Evidence Supports Which Point is a free 40-minute Grade 5 English lesson plan for Common Core standard RI.5.8 — match each reason and piece of evidence to the point it supports. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 5
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- RI.5.8
Grade 5 · Reading: Informational Text
RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
Objective
Students will be able to map each piece of evidence to the point it supports and find any that supports none.
Students are successful when they can
- Maps evidence to points.
- Finds evidence supporting no point.
- Finds a point with no evidence.
What you need
- An argumentative text
- A mapping sheet with points down the side
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — list the points
5 min- List the text's points without any evidence.
- Number them.
Teach — map every piece
13 min- Take each piece of evidence and assign it a point number.
- Find one that fits no point. Ask what it is doing in the text.
- Find a point with an empty row and name it as unsupported.
- Show a piece of evidence assigned to the wrong point and correct it.
- Say the finding: the map shows where the argument is strong and where it is decorated.
“That evidence is interesting and supports nothing. Why is it here?”
Guided practice — map a section
12 min- Pairs map all evidence in one section.
- They flag any unassigned evidence and any empty row.
- They write one sentence judging the argument's support.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the argument page.
- The passage is on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Take one unsupported point or one unassigned piece of evidence.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Assigns every piece of evidence to something.
Why: The exercise implies a complete mapping.
Fix: Unassigned evidence is a finding. It is often the most interesting cell on the sheet.
Accepts evidence that is only loosely related.
Why: It is on topic.
Fix: Ask what it proves about that specific point. Topic relevance is not support.
Judges the argument by whether they agree.
Why: Agreement is immediate.
Fix: Judge the map. A point you agree with can have an empty row.
If they are not there yet
- Two points rather than four.
- Give the point list.
If they finish early
- Find evidence that supports two points.
- Find evidence that undermines a point it is placed near.
- Supply the missing evidence for an empty row.
Exit ticket
Which point does this evidence support? Is any point left unsupported?
What to look for: A mapping plus a gap identified. A complete map with no gaps usually means loose assignments.
Printable practice for RI.5.8
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Which Reasons Support Which PointRead the text, then answer the questions.
Questions about Which Evidence Supports Which Point
How long does the Which Evidence Supports Which Point lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Which Evidence Supports Which Point teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8 — RI.5.8, Reading: Informational Text for Grade 5: “Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).” In plain terms, match each reason and piece of evidence to the point it supports.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
An argumentative text, a mapping sheet with points down the side and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: assigns every piece of evidence to something; accepts evidence that is only loosely related and judges the argument by whether they agree. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Which point does this evidence support? Is any point left unsupported?.” A mapping plus a gap identified. A complete map with no gaps usually means loose assignments. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Which Evidence Supports Which Point?
Yes — 1 printable RI.5.8 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Which Evidence Supports Which Point free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to RI.5.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.