Standard: 9-10.RST.1 – Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions.
Grade level: Grade 9-10
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Science & Technical Subjects
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of using precise textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. It is crucial for students to learn how to identify and use relevant details to construct well-supported arguments and explanations, which is a key skill in both academic and real-world settings. Students should be comfortable with basic reading comprehension and familiar with scientific and technical terminology. They should also have experience identifying main ideas and supporting details in texts.
Mastering this standard will enable students to critically evaluate complex scientific and technical texts, synthesize information from multiple sources, and construct well-supported arguments and explanations based on textual evidence.
Common Misconception 1
One common misconception is that any piece of information from the text can serve as evidence, regardless of its relevance. This is incorrect because effective analysis requires selecting details that directly support the argument or explanation being made.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide students with practice exercises that involve distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information. Use examples and non-examples to illustrate the concept.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is that summarizing the text is the same as analyzing it. Summarization involves restating the content, while analysis requires interpreting and explaining the significance of the details.
Intervention 2
To remediate this misconception, engage students in activities that require them to go beyond summarization. Encourage them to explain the significance of specific details and how they contribute to the overall understanding of the text.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a foundational understanding of basic reading comprehension skills, including identifying main ideas and supporting details in texts. They should also be familiar with basic scientific and technical terminology.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to critically evaluate complex scientific and technical texts, synthesize information from multiple sources, and construct well-supported arguments and explanations based on textual evidence.
Instructional Activities
- Close reading exercises focusing on identifying and citing textual evidence
- Group discussions analyzing scientific articles
- Writing assignments that require evidence-based arguments
- Peer review sessions to evaluate the use of textual evidence
- Interactive lessons on differentiating between summary and analysis
