CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1a
The Standard
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students read or review the assigned material before joining a discussion. They use specific details from that preparation and relevant prior knowledge to explain ideas, respond, and ask questions.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student brings useful notes or marked text to the group. The student refers to specific details and connects them to prior knowledge when making a point or asking a question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may arrive with only a vague memory of the material. They may share opinions without linking them to a detail from the text, notes, or prior knowledge.
How to Assess It
- Give students one minute to write a discussion comment about a short passage. Require one specific detail from the passage and one related idea or question.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students sticky notes to mark two useful details in a short article, then bring those notes to a small-group discussion.
Ask students to write: Which detail best explains the topic, and what do you already know that connects to it?
Play Evidence Match by giving groups claim cards and detail cards, then having students pair each claim with supporting information.
Before discussing a playground change, have students review a simple map and survey results, then use both to suggest an improvement.
Free download
Printable SL.3.1a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1a, 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
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1a
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issu...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1a
Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, o...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1a
The 5th Grade version of this standard.
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