South Dakota ELA 11-12.WHST.9

ELAGrades 11–12Writing: History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

The Standard

Draw relevant evidence from informational and/or literary fiction or non-fiction texts to support written analysis, reflection, and research.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025) · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use articles, reports, or stories to answer a question. They choose details that fit their point and explain the link in their writing.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can find a specific line or number, name its source, and explain why it supports their point. They leave out interesting details that do not help answer the question.
Common Misconceptions: Students may pick a striking quote that does not support their claim. Some drop in a fact without explaining it, or use their own opinion as proof from the source.
How to Assess It: Post: “The town added a second evening bus in September. By October, evening ridership rose from 40 to 65 riders a day.” Ask: “Did evening bus use change? Write two sentences using evidence from the notice and explain what it shows.”

Lesson moves

Give pairs bus and bell schedules; they circle arrival times, then write whether students arrive on time and explain using one time.
Read a page from a class novel; ask, “Which line shows the character changed their mind, and how can you tell?”
Play evidence match: give groups three claim cards and six excerpt cards from a class article; students match pairs and justify choices aloud.
Compare two grocery ads for the same item; students write which costs less, cite both prices, and explain their choice.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 11-12.WHST.9, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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