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(RI) Reading Information

ELA-04.RI

Narrative for Informational Reading Strand:

Informational text is designed to communicate factual information rather than to tell a narrative. Much of our daily reading is linked with this genre. Common examples of informational text include: diaries, cookbooks, websites, informational picture storybooks, field guides, and how-to books. 

Informational texts enable children to experience both language and content simultaneously, i.e., “read to learn.” The organization, graphic features, and writing styles found in informational texts are often content-specific. For example, the style of a biology textbook is quite different from a vacation guide. 

An important reading comprehension skill is the ability to determine the relative importance and precise meanings of words, sentences, paragraphs, sections, and chapters. Readers must be able to make sense of the meanings of words within sentences and of sentences within paragraphs. When readers grasp the main ideas, they better understand the purpose of the details—which, in turn, further strengthens their understanding of those main ideas. Readers, then, link their understanding of individual paragraphs to comprehend sections and chapters.

To feel successful across content areas students must read widely and deeply from among a broad range of high-quality, increasingly challenging informational texts. Through extensive reading of biographies and autobiographies; books about history, social studies, science, and the arts; technical texts, including directions, forms, and information displayed in graphs, charts, or maps; and digital sources on a range of topics students gain knowledge in various informational areas as well as familiarity with various text structures and elements.

Continued work on reading comprehension standards will heighten student abilities to read more complex informational (nonfiction) text.  Teachers use assessment and observation to determine if students are ready to progress to more challenging reading selections.  Each child is unique, so be flexible, and trust your judgment as you assist your child.  Together teachers and parents can help students make better choices when selecting books to read.  Not all selections children read must be in the level suggested by assessment, these levels serve as a guideline.  Sometimes high interest in a topic allows success in a more difficult text, and sometimes simple text is more inviting to our children, balance is important.  Increasing the frequency of reading is the highest predictor of success at any grade level. Building a child’s confidence, through successful experiences with reading, will encourage that desire to read more. Developing successful, life-long readers is our ultimate goal.

 

 

How to Help Your Child At Home with the Informational Text Strand:

  • Ask questions about the topic being read (What does this book tell us about the solar system?)
  • Help your child dtermine the main idea of what they are reading, along with the details that support the main idea he/she stated
  • Have your child summarize the information on the topic they read about
  • Re-read favorite books to build fluency, comprehension and confidence
  • Discuss the informational topics you read about
  • Bring attention to bold words, captions and  glossaries that will help locate key facts or information in a text
  • Discuss the text features in informational text (graphics, charts, diagrams)
  • Read magazines and newspapers for information and entertainment - the pictures and current event topics offer a high-interest way for readers to attemp more difficult reading than they may in a book
  • Read directions on packages, forms, games and recipes - this helps children see that we read many things to gain information
  • Make regular visits to a public library to select informational (non-fiction) reading material

 

Resources

Calculation Method for Strands

Strands are larger groups of related standards. The Strand Grade is a calculation of all the related standards. Click on the standard name below each strand to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each strand's related standards.

ELA-04.RI.01

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Key Ideas and Details

ELA-04.RI.01 Refer to details and examples in a text (textual evidence) when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. Summarize the text.

proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

ELA-04.RI.02

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Key Ideas and Details

ELA-04.RI.02 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details.

proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

ELA-04.RI.03

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Key Ideas and Details

ELA-04.RI.03 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

ELA-04.RI.04

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Craft and Structure

ELA-04.RI.04 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

Under Development

ELA-04 Targeted Standards
(RI) Strand: Reading Information
Cluster: Craft and Structure.

ELA-04.RI.04 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Product Targets

  • I can

Proficiency (Rubric) Scale

Score   Description Sample Activity
4.0 Student is able to
-
  3.5 In addition to Score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding the more complex content with partial success.
3.0 “The Standard.” Student is able to
-
  2.5 No major errors or emissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content.
2.0 Student is able to -
  1.5 In addition to 1.0 content, student has partial knowledge of the 2.0 and/or 3.0 content.
1.0 Student is able to
-
  0.5 Limited or no understanding of the skill id demonstrated.

Resources

Websites

  • Add resources with links, youtube or PDF

Vocabulary

  • List

 

ELA-04.RI.05

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Craft and Structure

ELA-04.RI.05 Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can identify and explain different structures used in informational text (e.g. chronology, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution).
  • I can describe how events, ideas, concepts or information are structured in a text.

Reasoning Targets

  • I can determine the overall structure found in an informational text.

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • Text Structure
  • Chronology
  • Description
  • Problem/Solution
  • Cause/Effect
  • Compare/Contrast
  • Signal Words

Websites

ELA-04.RI.06

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Craft and Structure

ELA-04.RI.06 Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-04.RI.07

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA-04.RI.07 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-04.RI.08

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA-04.RI.08 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-04.RI.09

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA-04.RI.09 Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-04.RI.10

ELA Reading Informational Strand Logo 4th Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RI) Strand: Reading Informational/Nonfiction
Cluster: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

ELA-04.RI.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can reread a text to find more information or clarify ideas.
  • I can read complex grade level texts.
  • I can use reading strategies (asking questions, make connections, take notes, make inferences, visualize and re-read) to help me understand difficult complex text.

Proficiency Scale

The student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • Reading Strategy
  • Comprehend
  • LIST

Websites