Supporting+Evidence

=**Topic or Focus:**= Supporting Evidence

Subject:
English Language Arts

Level:
High School ==Key Standard(s): (from the Common Core State Standards, English Language Arts)==
 * RI.9-10.1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Text/Resources to be Used (Optional):
"What Caffeine Does to You," Holt-Rinehart Reader, Grade 9

//Rationale://
//When asked to provide evidence from a text to support an argument, students often fail to distinguish between weak evidence and strong evidence.//

//Directions://
Read the article, "What Caffeine Does to You."

//Read the main idea in the left column. Then read the three choices for supporting evidence in the right column. Rank the three pieces of supporting evidence from 1-3, with 1= strongest (most important) evidence to 3=weakest (least important) evidence.//
 * ===Main Idea=== || ===Supporting Evidence=== || ===Rank=== ||
 * //The problem is: Most Americans drink too much caffeine, and this can cause health problems.// || a. Although caffeine is a natural substance, it is also the world's most popular drug.

b. If you drink too much caffeine at one time, it can make you feel nervous or jumpy.

c. Caffeine can cause you to become dehydrated. || ________

________

________ ||
 * //Many kids are getting addicted to caffeine and they don't even know it.// || a. If you drink caffeine every day, you will usually need to drink the same amount of caffeine just to feel normal.

b. If you need to cut back the amount of caffeine you drink, do so gradually to get your body accustomed to less.

c. Kids are bypassing milk in the cafeteria for cans of soda and are having their "Big Gulps" after school. || ________

________

________ || //[Editor's Note: The assessment could be adapted by having students explain their reasoning for ranking the statements as they did. In addition, each main idea could be presented on a different day]//

//Scoring://
//For each main idea:// //3 pts for the ranking// //2 pts for the explanation of the ranking//

//Analysis://
//This assessment will distinguish among the following://
 * //Students who can distinguish between stronger and weaker evidence to support an argument//
 * //Students who can explain their reasoning for selection of evidence to support an argument.//

//Contributor://
//Julio Pena, English Teacher, H. C. Wilcox Technical High School, Meriden, CT// //Laurie Harvey, English Teacher, Norwich Technical High School, Norwich, CT// //Craig McCarthy, English Teacher, E. C. Goodwin Technical High School, New Britain, CT// //Editor: Kim M. Bennett, Consultant, Northside Consulting, Hartford, CT//