CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.3
The Standard
Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students listen to a short talk and identify the speaker’s main points. They connect each point to the reasons, facts, examples, or details the speaker uses.
What Mastery Looks Like
- After one listening, a student can give an accurate, brief account without adding personal opinions. The student can name specific support for each claim and explain the connection.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often list interesting details instead of the speaker’s main points. They may treat opinions as evidence, match support to the wrong claim, or focus on whether they agree.
How to Assess It
- Play or read aloud a 60-second argument with two claims. Ask students to state both claims, give one supporting detail for each, and explain each connection.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs claim, reason, and evidence cards from a short speech, then have them sort and justify each match.
After a classmate gives a one-minute opinion, ask listeners to write which point was best supported and what made the support effective.
Play Support Match: teams hear a claim, choose the matching support card, and earn a point for explaining the link.
Watch a short school announcement or advertisement, then identify its claims and decide which spoken details support each one.
Free download
Printable SL.5.3 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.3, 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 Speaking & Listening progression map.
Before This Standard
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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