South Dakota ELA 6-8.WHST.9

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

The Standard

Draw relevant evidence from informational texts and/or literary fiction or nonfiction 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 make a point about a history or science question and choose text details that back it up. They quote or paraphrase those details and explain how each supports their point.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given two short sources, a student picks relevant details from each, not just interesting facts. Their paragraph names the sources, uses the details accurately, and explains how they support the point.
Common Misconceptions: Students may choose a vivid detail that does not support their point. They may drop in a quote without explaining it or paraphrase so loosely that the meaning changes.
How to Assess It: Give students this passage: 'Some salmon travel upstream to lay eggs. A dam can block their route. Fish ladders help some salmon pass.' Ask them to choose one detail supporting the claim 'Dams can hinder salmon migration' and explain how it fits.

Lesson moves

Print the salmon passage, cut it into strips, and have pairs sort details under 'dams block fish' or 'ladders help fish.'
Read the fictional line 'Another worker was hurt when the machine jammed'; write how it supports a claim about unsafe factory conditions.
Play Evidence Match with salmon passage sentence cards and claim cards; award a point only when a student explains why the match fits.
Use cafeteria nutrition labels to recommend a lunch for a long practice day, citing two details and explaining each choice.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6-8.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.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.