South Dakota ELA 9-10.WHST.2.a
The Standard
- 9-10.WHST.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025) · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students introduce a complex topic so readers know what the explanation will cover. They group facts to show how ideas connect and differ. They use headings, tables, or images when those help readers follow the explanation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- In a piece about schoolyard heat, a student separates causes from effects and connects pavement and shade to temperature differences. Headings guide the reader, and a labeled table makes the comparison easy to see.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may start with a vague hook instead of naming the topic. They may list facts in the order they found them, mix causes with effects, or add a graphic without explaining what it shows.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A paved schoolyard reads 38°C at noon, and a shaded lawn reads 29°C. Write an opening, group causes and effects under headings, and place a labeled temperature table where it helps explain the difference.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups printed cards about schoolyard heat; have them sort causes and effects, write an opening, and place a temperature table.
Ask: Where should a pavement-versus-shade table go in your explanation, and what connection would it help readers see?
Hand pairs a scrambled schoolyard heat article; award points for a clear opening, sensible headings, and one explained graphic.
Have students sketch paved and shaded parts of the schoolyard, then write a headed note to the principal explaining where shade could help.
Free download
Printable 9-10.WHST.2.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-10.WHST.2.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson