South Dakota ELA 11-12.RI.10.a

ELAGrades 11–12Reading Informational Text

The Standard

11-12.RI.10: By the end of the year, independently read and comprehend literary nonfiction and informational texts representing a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives that exhibit complexity appropriate for at least grade 11 and 12.

Demonstrate proficiency in reading and comprehending grade-appropriate texts.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students read challenging articles, reports, and other nonfiction with enough care to explain what they say. They identify main ideas, follow the reasoning, and use details from the text to support their understanding.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain a writer's claim without changing its meaning. They can point to evidence, explain how it supports the claim, and notice a question the text leaves open.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat one striking example as the main point. They may quote a sentence without explaining what it proves, or mistake the writer's claim for an established fact.
How to Assess It: After students read a one-page article on school start times, ask: What is the writer's main claim? Cite two supporting details and name one question the article leaves unanswered.

Lesson moves

Cut a one-page report into paragraphs. Have pairs put it back in order, using headings and transitions to explain their choices.
After reading an editorial, ask: Which sentence best states the writer's position, and what detail complicates it?
Give pairs four claim cards and six evidence cards from an article. Have them match each claim to its strongest evidence.
Read a local water quality report. Have students identify one concern, the data behind it, and a question they would ask the utility.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 11-12.RI.10.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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