South Dakota ELA 3.RI.8

ELA3rd GradeReading Informational Text

The Standard

Describe how particular sentences and paragraphs in a text support particular points the author makes.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students find a point the author makes in an informational text. They identify sentences or paragraphs that support it and explain the connection.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can point to a specific sentence or paragraph that backs up the author's point. They can explain how its facts or examples help make that point.
Common Misconceptions: Students may choose any fact about the topic, even when it does not support the point. They may repeat a detail without explaining why the author included it.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Read, 'Schools should plant trees. Trees shade the playground. Their roots hold soil in place.' Underline the supporting sentences and explain how one supports the author's point.

Lesson moves

Give pairs paper strips reading 'Plant trees at school' and 'Trees shade the playground'; have them connect the strips and explain why.
Read a three-paragraph article about planting trees at school; ask students to write how the paragraph about roots supports the author's point.
Play a matching game with point cards and fact cards about trees; require students to explain each match.
Show a school flyer asking families to plant trees; have students circle its point and explain how one sentence supports it.

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