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

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.

Self-select texts for personal enjoyment, interest, and academic tasks.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students choose informational texts for enjoyment, personal interests, and school tasks. They preview titles, descriptions, and opening paragraphs to see which texts fit their purpose.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can choose a text and point to a specific clue that explains the choice. If an article is interesting but does not answer a class question, they can choose another.
Common Misconceptions: Students may pick the shortest article without checking whether it fits their purpose. They may think any article on a broad topic will answer a specific question, or that reading for fun means reading fiction only.
How to Assess It: Post short descriptions of articles on teen sleep, skateboarding, and wildlife photography. Ask students to choose one to read for interest and one for a report on teen sleep, then explain each choice.

Lesson moves

Set out four printed articles, including one on teen sleep; students mark an interest pick and a pick for a teen sleep report.
Ask, "Would you read the teen sleep article for fun or for a report? What in its opening helps you decide?"
Hand pairs three reader cards with hobbies or research questions; they match each to a printed article and cite a headline or opening line.
Have students use the school library catalog to find one nonfiction book for a hobby and one for a class question, then explain both picks.

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

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