South Dakota ELA 8.SL.4

8.SL.4 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• 8.SL.4.a

  Include relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details.

• 8.SL.4.b

  Use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

• 8.SL.4.c

  Emphasize salient points in a focused, coherent manner.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students give a short talk that makes a point or reports what they learned. They choose useful facts, explain their reasoning, and stress what listeners need to remember. They look at listeners and speak so everyone can hear and understand.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student starts with a clear point, uses two relevant facts, and explains how each one supports it. They keep the talk in order and choose examples that fit their audience. They look up from notes and speak clearly enough for the back row.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often list facts without explaining how they support a point. Some jump between ideas or treat a minor detail as the main takeaway. Others read every word from a slide or speak too quietly.

04

How to Assess It

Write on the board: 'A refill station costs $800. The library station logged 120 refills last week.' Have students give a 45-second talk on whether to add one at school, using a fact, explaining its relevance, and looking up as they speak.

1. 01

   Give pairs cards marked 'Add a refill station,' '120 refills last week,' and 'Blue hallway paint'; have them sort the evidence and pitch their choice.

2. 02

   Ask: 'How would you explain the same school change to sixth graders and to the principal?' Have students write two opening lines.

3. 03

   Give students cafeteria wait times of 8, 12, and 15 minutes; run 45-second improvement pitches while peers check reasoning and audibility.

4. 04

   Show a photo of a crowded school pickup lane; students pitch one safety change to a mock school board using two visible details.

• 6.SL.4

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 5.SL.4.b

  Use appropriate facts and relevant descriptive details to support main ideas or themes.

• 7.SL.4

  The 7th Grade version of this standard.