Reading Standards in History/Social Studies for Grades 6–8
Introductory Note on Range and Content of Student Reading
Reading is critical to building knowledge in history/social studies as well as in science and technical subjects. College and career ready reading in these fields requires an appreciation of the norms and conventions of each discipline, such as the kinds of evidence used in history and science; an understanding of domain-specific words and phrases; an attention to precise details; and the capacity to evaluate intricate arguments, synthesize complex information, and follow detailed descriptions of events and concepts. In history/social studies, for example, students need to be able to analyze, evaluate, and differentiate primary and secondary sources. When reading scientific and technical texts, students need to be able to gain knowledge from challenging textsthat often make extensive use of elaborate diagrams and data to convey information and illustrate concepts. Students must be able to read complex informational texts in these fields with independence and confidence because the vast majority of reading in college and workforce training programs will be sophisticated nonfiction. It is important to note that these Reading standards are meant to complement the specific content demands of the disciplines, not replace them.
The Standards - Click here for the official CCSS website.
1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. (Click here for resources.)
2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. (Click here for resources.)
3. Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered). (Click here for resources.)
4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies. (Click here for resources.)
5. Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally). (Click here for resources.)
6. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts). (Click here for resources.)
7. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. (Click here for resources.)
8. Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. (Click here for resources.)
9. Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic. (Click here for resources.)
10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. (Click here for resources.)
Resources Covering all the Common Core Grade 6-8 Reading in History/Social Studies Standards
Introductory Note on Range and Content of Student Reading
Reading is critical to building knowledge in history/social studies as well as in science and technical subjects. College and career ready reading in these fields requires an appreciation of the norms and conventions of each discipline, such as the kinds of evidence used in history and science; an understanding of domain-specific words and phrases; an attention to precise details; and the capacity to evaluate intricate arguments, synthesize complex information, and follow detailed descriptions of events and concepts. In history/social studies, for example, students need to be able to analyze, evaluate, and differentiate primary and secondary sources. When reading scientific and technical texts, students need to be able to gain knowledge from challenging textsthat often make extensive use of elaborate diagrams and data to convey information and illustrate concepts. Students must be able to read complex informational texts in these fields with independence and confidence because the vast majority of reading in college and workforce training programs will be sophisticated nonfiction. It is important to note that these Reading standards are meant to complement the specific content demands of the disciplines, not replace them.
The Standards - Click here for the official CCSS website.
1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. (Click here for resources.)
2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. (Click here for resources.)
3. Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered). (Click here for resources.)
4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies. (Click here for resources.)
5. Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally). (Click here for resources.)
6. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts). (Click here for resources.)
7. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. (Click here for resources.)
8. Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. (Click here for resources.)
9. Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic. (Click here for resources.)
10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. (Click here for resources.)
Resources Covering all the Common Core Grade 6-8 Reading in History/Social Studies Standards
- CCSS Text Exemplars and Performance Tasks (Appendix B)
- Achieve the Core Lessons for History and Social Studies
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NYLearns.org Resources
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Idaho State Department of Education Lessons (Scroll down to "Common Core.")
- Illinois Strategies for Reading Informational Text Grades 6 - 12
- Northern Michigan Learning Consortium Resources for 7th Grade Social Studies Common Core Standards
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Northern Michigan Learning Consortium Resources for 8th Grade Social Studies Common Core Standards
- Social Studies Task Cards (Dade County School District)
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Learni.st Website on History/Social Studies Standards by Vivian Kerr
- Learni.st Website for History/Social Studies Standards by Kim Rudden
- Social Studies Skills Tutor - Lessons and Practice for Common Core Skills
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