To explain a topic well a writer develops it with facts, concrete details and the meaning of any word the reader may not know. A fact is something that can be checked. On this fifth grade sheet a child gets one topic and writes a topic sentence, three facts and a hard word with its meaning on labeled lines.
Each version has a different topic, and the grown-up checks that the facts are true and on topic.
What your child will learn
Write a topic sentence
Choose facts that can be checked
Define a word for the reader
Stay on one topic
Common Core standard: W.5.2.B
Worked example
Topic: honeybees. Topic sentence: Honeybees do important work. Fact: A hive can hold thousands of bees. Word: pollen means the yellow dust that flowers make.
Common mistake
Writing an opinion (bees are cute) where a fact is needed.