CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2
The Standard
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6—12
What This Standard Means
Students need to read a history or social studies source and figure out the main ideas, not just interesting details. They also need to summarize what the source says using evidence from the text, while keeping out their own opinions and facts they already know.
Mastery looks like a short, accurate summary that names the central idea and includes only the source’s key information. Students often get stuck by copying too much, adding background knowledge from class, or choosing a detail as the main idea because it seems dramatic or familiar.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students a short primary source and three highlighters to mark central idea, supporting details, and unrelated details.
- Ask students to write, “The source mostly explains…” then add two text details and one sentence they must leave out.
- Use an exit ticket with a paragraph and ask for a one-sentence central idea plus a two-sentence objective summary.
- Have students compare a news article about a local issue with a summary that removes opinions, guesses, and outside facts.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key detail...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of t...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.