Common Core Standards in Reading

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.3
Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals,
ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text (Common Core State Standards
Initiative, 2019).
The above standard supports critical thinking among students in grade 11 and 12. It
requires students to possess analysis skills, and be in a position to apply them in understanding
the contents of a particular text. For instance, the Information text, Paine, Thomas. Common
Sense, New York: 2005. (1776). Students at this level are required to read this text and analyze
the set of ideas expressed by the author. After conducting the analysis, they are then required to
explain how specific ideas and events in the text interact throughout the text. Critical thinking is
enhanced as students carry out these tasks. First of all, to be able to explain the development of
events and their interaction is quite a complex task. The development is not outrightly explained
in the text, a learner needs to read a certain event, and think through to understand how it relates
to a different event still in the same text.
Some of the ideas that student could analyze and explain how they relate include powers
of the government and the liberties of the people. After reading the text, students will explain
how unchecked government powers could restrict the liberties of the people. They could also
explain how the powers of the government could be used to expand the liberties of the people.
Although such ideas are not explicitly explained in the text, through analysis and critical
thinking, students are able to identify them and explain their development and interaction in the
text. Consequently, their critical thinking abilities are developed.

References

Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2019). Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.o