Choose a Route, Cite a Clue

Worked classroom example

Humanities

Worked example

A fictional town must decide whether to repair a footbridge or extend a bus route. The text gives different evidence about access and cost; readers cite a clue before choosing and note what additional information would help.

Format inspiration: Twinkl ESL Resources lists Choose-your-own-adventure formats. This classroom routine, wording and example are original and adapted for EAL teaching.

Teaching sequence

1. Write a short text with two choice points and two plausible routes. Keep the language and reading load appropriate to the class and make each choice depend on a textual clue.
2. Learners read to the first choice, underline the clue they will use, and select a route. They record the evidence and explain their decision in one sentence.
3. Pairs compare choices and trace one consequence from each route. Ask them to distinguish what the text states from what they infer.
4. Give a fresh short choice point. Learners choose and justify a route independently with one supporting detail.

Try it in your next lesson

Prepare

Prepare a short teacher-written branching text with two choice points. Adjust the content to the class’s age, curriculum and language needs.

Classroom task

Read a short branching text, choose a route using a clue in the text, then compare how a different choice changes what happens.

Check independent transfer

Use a new two-option paragraph. Each learner selects one outcome, cites a detail and identifies one inference or unanswered question.

Collect a response on fresh content and note what the learner can do without the model, partner or prompt.

Teacher language

Which exact clue supports that choice? What changes if you follow the other route?

Respond to the learner

Name one part of the response that meets the task, ask one focused question, then give time to revise. Check again on fresh content.

Adjust support and challenge

More support

Preview essential words with an image, brief definition or bilingual note. Offer a model or sentence opening and allow rehearsal before independent work.

Greater independence

Remove one prompt, change the subject example or audience, and ask learners to justify their language choices.

Choose the next step

If the subject idea is secure but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship. If the idea is uncertain, revisit the subject concept before increasing the language demand.

Format inspiration: Twinkl ESL Resources lists Choose-your-own-adventure formats. This classroom routine, wording and example are original and adapted for EAL teaching.