LAFS.3.RI.3.9Archived Standard

Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Grade: 3
Strand: Reading Standards for Informational Text
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Date Adopted or Revised: 12/10
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: TM , EBSR , MS , ST item(s)

  • Assessment Limits :
    Items may ask the student to compare and/or contrast important points and key details in two or more texts. Items may require the student to use key details from texts to determine how these are similar or different. Important points and key details may be explicitly or implicitly stated. Items should be used with text sets on the same topic
  • Text Types :
    The items assessing this standard may be used with two or more grade-appropriate informational texts. Texts may vary in complexity.
  • Response Mechanisms :
    The Enhanced Item Descriptions section on page 3 provides a list of Response Mechanisms that may be used to assess this standard (excluding the Editing Task Choice item type). The Sample Response Mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the examples below.
  • Task Demand and Sample Response Mechanisms :
    Task Demand

    Compare and/or contrast the most important points and details in two or more texts.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Selectable Text 

    • Requires the student to select words and phrases from different texts that demonstrate similar or different interpretations of important points or key details.
    EBSR 
    • Requires the student to select words and phrases to identify important points or key details in two or more texts and to select a sentence or phrase that characterizes the similarities or differences between them. 
    Multiselect 
    • Requires the student to select the similarities and/or differences in the author’s depiction of important points or key details from a list of phrases or sentences. 
    Table Match 
    • Requires the student to complete a table that compares/contrasts important points and key details in two or more texts.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5010010: English for Speakers of Other Languages-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
5010020: Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 and beyond (current))
5021050: Social Studies Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
5010044: Language Arts - Grade Three (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7710014: Access Language Arts - Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7721014: Access Social Studies - Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
5011030: Library Skills/Information Literacy Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Amazing Dolphins:

In this lesson, students will explore vocabulary, answer questions about the text, and identify the details and the central idea of an informational text about dolphins. Students will demonstrate their new knowledge about this amazing animal by completing an expository paragraph.

Type: Lesson Plan

Comparing and Contrasting Washington and Lincoln:

In this lesson, students will identify the relevant details and central idea of two informational texts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They will then compare and contrast the two presidents using a graphic organizer and write an expository essay to explain the presidents' similarities and differences.

Type: Lesson Plan

Field Trip Fundraiser:

This 3rd grade MEA asks students to work as a team to figure out which product would be the best choice for their fundraiser for their field trip. They will compare two vendor's products and make a decision about which product would be the best option for their school.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Student Center Activities

Comprehension: Compare and Contrast:

In this activity, students will identify similarities and differences between two topics. NOTE: The activity will need to compare and contrast information from two texts on the same topic to fully meet the aligned standards.

Type: Student Center Activity

Comprehension: Detail Delight:

In this activity, students will identify the topic and key details in informational text. As an extension, students may also compare and contrast the important details presented by two texts on the same topic.

Type: Student Center Activity

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Field Trip Fundraiser:

This 3rd grade MEA asks students to work as a team to figure out which product would be the best choice for their fundraiser for their field trip. They will compare two vendor's products and make a decision about which product would be the best option for their school.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.