Composition: Composing Informational Texts With Clear Thesis And Supporting Details (TEKS.ELA.6.11.B)
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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Composition: Composing Informational Texts With Clear Thesis And Supporting Details (TEKS.ELA.6.11.B)
Across many schools, gardening has moved from the science lab to the courtyard. Students turn soil, plant seeds, and watch sprouts push through the ground. Teachers link lessons to real life by measuring plant growth and recording observations in journals. Cafeterias sometimes use herbs and lettuce harvested by kids, which makes lunchtime feel special. Families volunteer on weekends, and local gardeners donate tools and advice. Our school has a small plot behind the library, and each class tends a raised bed. We have learned about compost, earthworms, and the patience it takes to wait for a tomato to ripen. The garden draws people together, and it changes with every season, offering new surprises and challenges for everyone involved. It also teaches responsibility and care daily.
Which revision best adds a clear controlling idea (thesis) to the introduction? Choose the sentence to add as the final sentence.
Gardens are interesting and fun for many people.
In the future, more schools might get gardens in different places.
School gardens strengthen learning, health, and community by giving students purposeful, hands-on experiences.
Some people prefer indoor clubs instead of outdoor activities like gardening.
Explanation
C is correct because it clearly states a focused controlling idea that guides the essay. A is vague, B is overly broad and speculative, and D is off-topic. Extension: Draft 2–3 supporting points for C (for example: increases engagement and science learning; encourages healthier eating; builds community through shared work). Scaffold: Graphic organizer—Center box: Thesis; three arrows to Reason 1 (learning) → evidence/examples; Reason 2 (health) → evidence/examples; Reason 3 (community) → evidence/examples. Enrichment: Compare theses: 1) School gardens are cool. 2) School gardens strengthen learning, health, and community by giving students purposeful, hands-on experiences. Discuss which is stronger and why (clarity, focus, and scope).
Step inside a public library after school and you will see more than shelves of books. Teens finish homework at shared tables while younger children listen to stories on colorful rugs. Computers hum quietly as people print forms, learn keyboarding, or video chat with relatives far away. Librarians guide visitors to reliable sources and help them sign up for library cards. Our town's branch recently added a makerspace with simple tools for crafting and coding. It hosts weekend clubs that welcome beginners, from chess to 3D design. Some visitors still browse magazines, while others check out audiobooks for long rides. The library stays calm even when it's busy, and it feels like a safe place to explore questions and ideas for learners of all ages.
Which revision best adds a clear controlling idea (thesis) to the introduction? Choose the sentence to add as the final sentence.
Public libraries serve communities by providing access to learning, technology, and supportive spaces for all ages.
Libraries were invented long ago and exist in many countries.
Books are important, and many people like them.
Some people prefer to buy books instead of borrowing.
Explanation
A is correct because it presents a clear, specific controlling idea about how libraries serve communities. B is overly broad and historical, C is weak and nonspecific, and D is off-topic. Extension: Draft 2–3 supporting points for A (for example: free resources and help from librarians; technology and makerspaces that build skills; safe, welcoming spaces for study and programs). Scaffold: Graphic organizer—Thesis box → arrows to Reason 1, Reason 2, Reason 3; under each, list evidence/examples from the passage or research. Enrichment: Compare theses: 1) Libraries are great. 2) Public libraries serve communities by providing access to learning, technology, and supportive spaces for all ages. Decide which is stronger and explain why.
At sports practice, on field trips, and in classrooms, reusable water bottles appear everywhere. They come in bright colors, metal finishes, and foldable designs that clip to backpacks. Students add stickers to make them easy to spot. Stores sell many types, and advertisements promise convenience. People like the satisfying click of a lid and the way cold water stays cold longer. Meanwhile, trash cans still fill with single-use bottles after games and school events. Custodians roll heavy bins to the curb each week, and recycling signs remind everyone to sort carefully. Announcements encourage refilling at fountains, and some campuses add stations that count refills. Adults and kids wonder whether small daily choices can add up to something that truly matters for our school and planet.
Which revision best adds a clear controlling idea (thesis) to the introduction? Choose the sentence to add as the final sentence.
Bottles come in many shapes and colors.
Plastic has been used for decades worldwide.
Some people think water tastes better cold.
Choosing reusable bottles at school can reduce waste and build habits that protect the environment.
Explanation
D is correct because it states a clear, focused thesis connecting reusable bottles to reducing waste and building protective habits. A is merely observational, B is overly broad, and C is off-topic. Extension: Draft 2–3 supporting points for D (for example: fewer single-use bottles in trash; refill stations make reuse easy; student campaigns encourage lasting habits). Scaffold: Graphic organizer—Center: Thesis; three branches labeled Reason/Evidence 1, 2, 3 with lines for examples, data, and quotes. Enrichment: Compare theses: 1) Bottles are popular. 2) Choosing reusable bottles at school can reduce waste and build habits that protect the environment. Which is stronger and why?
When a class visits a museum, the day feels different from ordinary lessons. Buses pull up to tall buildings, and students line up beneath banners and sculptures. Inside, guides welcome groups and share simple rules so everyone can explore respectfully. Exhibits invite visitors to press buttons, examine fossils, or compare artifacts from long ago with items we use now. Some galleries are quiet and dim to protect delicate pieces, while others buzz with hands-on stations. Back at school, teachers often ask students to sketch, discuss, or write about what they noticed. Families sometimes return on free weekends to see favorite displays again. Planning a field trip takes time and coordination, but classes often say the experience sticks with them and deepens learning beyond the classroom.
Which revision best adds a clear controlling idea (thesis) to the introduction? Choose the sentence to add as the final sentence.
Museums are places that many people visit.
Well-planned museum field trips enhance classroom learning by giving students memorable, hands-on experiences with real objects.
It is nice to ride the bus with friends.
Some museums are far away, and others are close.
Explanation
B is correct because it provides a strong, specific controlling idea that explains the purpose and benefit of museum field trips. A is weak, C is off-topic, and D is unfocused. Extension: Draft 2–3 supporting points for B (for example: real artifacts spark curiosity; hands-on stations make abstract ideas concrete; post-trip discussions help retain new knowledge). Scaffold: Graphic organizer—Thesis at top; three boxes below for Reason 1/Examples, Reason 2/Examples, Reason 3/Examples, with arrows back to the thesis. Enrichment: Compare theses: 1) Museums have many rooms. 2) Well-planned museum field trips enhance classroom learning by giving students memorable, hands-on experiences with real objects. Which is stronger and why?
Across many cities, empty lots have been transformed into small patches of green. Neighbors gather there after school and work, carrying trowels, seeds, and watering cans. Rows of tomatoes glow red beside curly kale, and butterflies hover over marigolds that edge the beds. Volunteers post sign-up sheets, divide tasks, and share tips about soil and shade. Some gardens sit next to libraries, while others brighten the corners near bus stops. On weekends, you might hear laughter as people pull weeds or spread mulch. A few plots include compost bins made from wooden pallets. There are also challenges, like stray cats, dry spells, and the cost of tools. Still, people return, measuring sprouts and hoping for a good harvest. They swap recipes and celebrate ripe peppers.
Which revision best adds a controlling idea (thesis) to this introduction?
Community gardens exist in many places.
Community gardens strengthen neighborhoods by growing food, building friendships, and teaching practical skills.
Some gardens face dry spells and stray cats.
Gardening has been around for thousands of years.
Explanation
B adds a clear, specific thesis that guides the essay; A is vague, C is too narrow, and D is off-topic.
In some parts of the world, people get a buzzing alert seconds before the ground shakes. Scientists place sensors in the soil and along faults to listen for tiny rumblings. Computers compare incoming signals to patterns from past quakes. Sirens, smartphone notifications, and train brakes can activate almost instantly. In classrooms, students practice duck-and-cover so they know what to do. Engineers test new ways to filter noise from traffic or thunder. Broadcasters remind viewers to keep flashlights and water handy. Maps show zones where shaking might be strongest, using colors to mark risk. Not every tremor becomes a disaster, and false alarms can happen. Still, researchers keep adjusting settings and adding stations to improve the system. Some cities connect alerts to elevators and gas valves.
Which revision best adds a thesis to this introduction?
Earthquakes are scary and unpredictable.
Sensors are placed in soil and along faults.
Alerts can arrive through sirens or phones.
Earthquake early warning systems save seconds that protect people and infrastructure by detecting shaking quickly and triggering safety actions.
Explanation
D states a focused thesis explaining the system's purpose and impact; A is vague, B and C are just details.
On hot afternoons, clouds gather over the Hill Country and drift toward wide prairies. Puddles left by last night's storm vanish by lunchtime, as sidewalks steam and cicadas buzz. Along rivers, cottonwoods drink deeply while shallow creeks shrink to glossy ribbons. Weather reports mention humidity, dew points, and a chance of scattered showers. In the Panhandle, wind pushes dust across fields, but by the coast, gulls circle above damp air. Farmers watch the sky and check stock tanks, hoping for timely rain. When a cold front slides in, the air feels lighter and shadows sharpen. After a shower, drops bead on bluebonnets and then fade again. All this movement depends on energy from the sun and changing air. Lakes fall, rise, and feed clouds above.
Which revision best adds a controlling idea (thesis) to this introduction?
The water cycle drives Texas weather by moving water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation across regions.
Cicadas buzz on hot afternoons in the Hill Country.
Humidity and dew points are words used on the news.
Texas is a big state with many kinds of climates.
Explanation
A provides a clear, controlling thesis that organizes the information; B and C are minor details, and D is too broad.
People pull on denim for school, chores, and long road trips. The fabric shows up in jackets, overalls, and sturdy bags tossed into lockers. Close up, blue threads cross white ones in a tight weave, and frayed hems tell stories of use. In old photos, workers stand in dust with cuffs rolled and knees patched. Later, musicians wore ripped pairs on bright stages, and designers added stitches, rivets, and different washes. Flea markets sell faded styles beside stacks of new ones folded in shops. Labels change, but pockets stay handy for keys and coins. Care tags suggest cold water and line drying. Factories cut patterns with sharp blades, and tailors hem to fit. Recycling programs collect worn pairs to reduce waste and save resources today.
Which revision best adds a controlling idea (thesis) to this introduction?
Denim is blue and used for many clothes.
Some musicians wore ripped jeans on stage.
Denim jeans have evolved from durable workwear to cultural icons that influence fashion, industry, and everyday life.
Clothing is an important part of human history.
Explanation
C delivers a clear thesis that frames history and impact; A is weak, B is too narrow, and D is overly broad.