Standard: 3.RI.6 – Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text.
Grade level: Grade 3
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Informational Text
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of students recognizing that their own perspectives can differ from those of the authors they read. Understanding this distinction is crucial for developing critical thinking and analytical skills. It helps students to appreciate diverse viewpoints and to become more discerning readers. Students should be familiar with identifying the main idea and supporting details in texts, and they should have a basic understanding of opinion versus fact. They should also be comfortable expressing their own opinions about what they read.
By mastering this standard, students will be able to analyze multiple points of view on the same topic and understand how an author’s perspective influences the content and style of a text. These skills are foundational for more advanced critical thinking and analysis in later grades.
Common Misconception 1
One common misconception is that students may think their own point of view is the same as the author’s. This occurs because students often project their own thoughts and feelings onto the text without critically analyzing the author’s perspective.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, use graphic organizers to help students compare and contrast their own opinions with the author’s viewpoint. This visual aid can help highlight the differences and foster a deeper understanding.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that students may believe the author’s point of view is always correct. This happens because students might not yet have developed the skills to critically evaluate the author’s arguments and evidence.
Intervention 2
Encourage students to ask critical questions about the author’s point of view, such as ‘What evidence does the author provide?’ and ‘Is the author’s reasoning sound?’. This practice can help students develop a more nuanced understanding.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be able to identify the main idea and supporting details of a text, understand basic concepts of opinion versus fact, and have experience with expressing their own opinions about texts they have read.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to analyze multiple points of view on the same topic, understand how an author’s perspective influences the content and style of a text, and evaluate the effectiveness of different arguments and viewpoints.
Instructional Activities
- Use Venn diagrams to compare and contrast students’ opinions with the author’s viewpoint.
- Conduct class discussions where students express their own points of view and compare them with the author’s.
- Have students write a short essay from the perspective of the author and then from their own perspective.
- Use role-playing activities to explore different viewpoints on a given topic.
- Create a ‘Point of View’ chart for different texts, listing the author’s viewpoint and students’ viewpoints.
