Smithsonian Article Connections and Assessment
Smithsonian Article Connections and Assessments
The Smithsonian Magazine is a great resource for educators, teachers, and students to access articles related to various disciplines. Our curriculum uses assessments that are based on excerpts from Smithsonian articles. We align these excerpts with at least two Common Core State Standards for English Language and Arts. Elementary and middle school students are encouraged to read these articles and do the related assessments. These will serve us the starting point for brainstorming design projects.
Expand the accordion below for sample Smithsonian article based assessments that align with Common Core standards.
Standard 1 Assessments (Cite Evidence)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Smithsonian Full Article on Accidental Invention of Bubble Wrap
Standard 2 Assessments (Determine Central Idea)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Standard 3 Assessments (Analyze Steps or Series of Details)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Standard 4 Assessments (Determine Word or Phrase Meaning)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
Smithsonian Full Article on the Accidental Invention Super Soaker
Standard 5 Assessments (Analyze Structure)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5
Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
Smithsonian Full Article on the Accidental Invention of Slip-N-Slide
Standard 6 Assessments (Analyze Point of View)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
Standard 7 Assessments (Integrate Information from Diverse Formats)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7
Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
Standard 8 Assessments (Evaluate or Compare Claims)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.8
Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
Smithsonian Full Article on Not All Rainbows Have Every Color