4.6.A
The Standard
establish purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Before reading, students decide what they want or need to gain from a text. They use that reason to focus their attention and adjust it when needed.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students state a specific reason before reading, based on the text and task. After reading, they explain how that reason guided what they noticed, remembered, or questioned.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name the topic or genre instead of explaining why they are reading. They may give a vague answer such as “to learn” or assume their reason cannot change.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short article and ask, “Why will you read this, and what information will you pay closest attention to?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs reading-situation cards and purpose cards to match, then have them explain each match.
Ask students to complete the prompt, “I am reading this text because I need or want to...”
Play Purpose Switch by assigning two reasons for reading one passage and listing different details noticed each time.
Have students choose a menu, review, or instruction page and state their reason for reading before using it.
Free download
Printable 4.6.A Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 4.6.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.