RI.5.9 Worksheet: Integrating Texts — Grade 5 Aligned

Students build critical reading comprehension skills by integrating information from two distinct informational texts about the La Brea Tar Pits. This Grade 5 performance task challenges learners to synthesize facts and use evidence to support complex analysis, moving beyond simple recall. It's an ideal tool for measuring mastery of informational text standards.

At a Glance

• Grade: 5 · Subject: English Language Arts
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.9 — Integrate information from two texts to write knowledgeably about a subject
• Skill Focus: Integrating information from multiple texts
• Format: 4 pages · 4 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Performance assessment & cross-text analysis
• Time: 45–60 minutes

The performance task consists of four comprehensive pages featuring two unique reading selections: a detailed brochure and a personal journal entry. Students encounter four rigorous, open-ended questions mirroring high-stakes assessment formats. A full answer key provides clear, evidence-based responses for every task, alongside structured space for student writing.

Mastery Evidence

This task directly evidences mastery for standard RI.5.9. Questions assess specific sub-skills: identifying key details across texts, explaining causal relationships using evidence from both sources, and comparing/contrasting information presentation. While no formal rubric exists, the answer key offers exemplary responses defining "meeting the standard," allowing educators to score student work against a clear benchmark. Performance can be logged for standards-based report cards or IEP progress monitoring.

Standards Alignment

This resource directly aligns to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.9, which mandates students "integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably." Each question specifically requires students to pull data from both the brochure and journal entry for complete answers. The standard code can be copied into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Utilize this worksheet as a summative assessment after a unit on informational text structures and synthesis. As a formative tool, it can reveal if students rely on only one text; observe if students flip between the brochure and journal for the final comparison question. Completion typically takes one 45-60 minute class period, providing a clear snapshot of each student’s ability to manage complex information.

Who It's For

Designed for Grade 5, this packet also challenges advanced Grade 4 readers or serves as a review for Grade 6. The use of two different text formats—a formal brochure and an informal journal—provides inherent differentiation. This task pairs naturally with lessons on text structures or an anchor chart detailing the RACE (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) writing strategy. The pedagogical value of multi-text integration is well-documented. Students engaging with multiple perspectives develop deeper conceptual understanding and are better equipped for academic writing. This task specifically targets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.9 by requiring synthesis from a brochure and journal entry to explain fossil preservation. By navigating diverse text structures, learners build stamina and analytical skills. This activity ensures students can integrate information and distinguish how authors present data differently, vital for meeting national standards and preparing for evidence-based writing. The assessment helps identify specific gaps in synthesis, allowing for targeted instructional adjustments.