CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.8
The Standard
With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Informational Text
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify what an author wants readers to know or believe. With teacher support, they point to reasons the author gives for that idea.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can state the author’s point and name a reason found in the text. The student can explain the link using a sentence such as, “The author says this because...”
Common Misconceptions
- Students may repeat the author’s point instead of naming a reason. They may also give their own reason or choose any interesting detail from the text.
How to Assess It
- Read aloud: “Our class should recycle paper. Recycling saves trees and reduces trash.” Ask, “What does the author think, and what reason is given?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Read a short passage, then have students match picture cards showing the author’s point with cards showing supporting reasons.
After a read-aloud, ask, “What does the author want us to think, and why?” Record answers using a sentence frame.
Play Reason Detective by reading a point and three details, then having students hold up a magnifying glass card for the supporting reason.
Examine a handwashing poster and identify its message and the reason it gives for washing hands.
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Printable RI.K.8 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.8, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Reading: Informational Text progression map.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.8
Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
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