South Dakota ELA 6-8.WHST.8.a

ELAGrades 6–8Writing: History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

The Standard

6-8.WHST.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources.

Use search terms effectively.

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 turn a research question into specific search words. They check whether the results answer the question, then change their words if the results miss the mark.
What Mastery Looks Like: For a question about road salt and fish, a student searches 'road salt freshwater fish effects' instead of 'pollution.' If the results focus on oceans, they add 'lake' and search again.
Common Misconceptions: Students use a broad word like 'pollution' and expect results about road salt and lake fish. Some add unrelated details or keep the same search when results are off topic.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A search for 'pollution' is too broad for a report on road salt and lake fish. Write a better search and explain two terms you chose.

Lesson moves

Give pairs word cards from 'How does road salt affect freshwater fish?' Have them build two searches, test both, and circle useful results.
Ask which search better fits a report on the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption: 'volcano' or 'Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption causes.' Why?
Play a two-move keyword game: turn 'weather damage' into 'hail damage crops,' search both phrases, and explain which results fit a crop report.
Search '[town name] public library Saturday hours' to plan a visit, then compare the results with a search for 'library hours.'

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6-8.WHST.8.a, 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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