South Dakota ELA 9-10.RL.10.b

ELAGrades 9–10Reading Literature

The Standard

9-10.RL.10: By the end of the year, independently read and comprehend literary texts representing a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives that exhibit complexity appropriate for at least grade 9 and 10.

Self-select texts for personal enjoyment, interest, and academic tasks.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students choose stories, poems, plays, or novels to read for enjoyment or a class task. They preview options and explain why a text fits their purpose.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can choose a book they want to read for fun and a text that fits a specific assignment. They point to a detail in each blurb or first page that supports their choice.
Common Misconceptions: Some students grab the shortest book without previewing it. Others assume a book they like will fit any assignment. Some think they must keep reading a book that no longer fits their purpose.
How to Assess It: From the classroom shelf, choose one text you would read for fun and one you could use to analyze a character's decision. Write each title and one reason for your choice based on its blurb or first page.

Lesson moves

Set out six books; students read the blurbs and first pages, then mark two they might choose with sticky notes.
Ask students to write whether they would choose the same book for a weekend read and a character essay, and why.
Match six book blurbs to purpose cards, such as 'read for laughs' or 'analyze a character's choice,' and defend each match.
Give students a printed library catalog page; they choose a book to borrow and note its location and appeal.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-10.RL.10.b, 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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