This task asks students whether a claim made on Instagram is accurate. The post claims that many immigrants who came to Ellis Island were turned away. Although the claim may seem true, by consulting credible sources, such as a National Geographic article that states “only 2 percent that arrived on the island were prevented from entering the United States,” students should determine that the claim is misleading.
Level: Proficient
Question 1: Student fully explains that the post is not a strong source of information for learning about United States history because lateral reading yields little about the account that posted it.
Questions 2 & 3: Student says that the post’s claim is misleading, provides links to a strong source that they consulted to reach their answer, and provides a clear explanation for why the source is strong.
Level: Emergent
Question 1: Student states that the post is not a strong source of information for learning about United States history but provides an incomplete explanation.
Questions 2 & 3: Student says that the post’s claim is misleading and provides links to a strong source, but their response lacks a complete explanation for why the source is strong.
OR
Student says that the post’s claim is misleading and provides links to one or more strong sources AND one or more weak sources that they consulted to reach their answer.
Level: Basic
Question 1: Student states that the post is not a strong source of information for learning about United States history but provides an explanation based on a misconception.
OR
Student states that the post is a strong source of information for learning about United States history.
Questions 2 & 3: Student says that the post’s claim is misleading but provides links to poor sources that they consulted to reach their answer.
OR
Student says that the post’s claim is accurate.