Words to know
inference
A conclusion you reach using clues in the text plus what you already know.
local inference
An inference about a small part of a text, such as a word, sentence or paragraph.
global inference
An inference about the whole text, such as its theme or a character's change.
explicit evidence
Information the text states directly.
implicit evidence
Information the text suggests through details, actions or word choice, without stating it.
interpretation
Your explanation of what a text means, supported by evidence.
theme
A big idea or message about life that a text explores.
Remember from Grade 5
In Grade 5 you made local and global inferences using text clues and what you know.
In Grade 6 you'll use your inferences to build an interpretation, your explanation of what a whole text means. You'll also learn that more than one interpretation can be reasonable, as long as each is supported by evidence.
Hook: What happened here?
You walk into the kitchen. There's flour on the counter, a mixing bowl in the sink, a warm smell in the air, and your little brother has white powder on his nose. No one tells you what happened, but you know. That's an inference: clues + what you know = a conclusion.
The Last Day at Kwan's (a story written for this website)
The bell over the door of Kwan's Variety jingled the way it had every day after school for six years. But today the shelves were half empty, and a stack of flattened boxes leaned against the counter.
Mr. Kwan was sitting on his stool, wiping the same spot on the counter over and over. When he saw Theo, he stopped and smiled. "The usual?"
Theo nodded. Mr. Kwan reached for the jar of sour keys without looking, counted out five, and slid them across the counter. Theo put down his coins. Mr. Kwan pushed them back.
"Not today," he said.
Theo looked at the window. A sign was taped to the inside of the glass, facing the street. He couldn't read it from here, but he didn't need to.
"Who's going to know my usual?" Theo asked quietly.
Mr. Kwan thought for a moment. Then he took a pen from behind his ear, wrote something on a small card, and tucked it into Theo's hand. Five sour keys. Grade 6. Asks good questions.
"Give that to whoever's next," he said. "They'll learn."
Outside, the November wind picked up. Theo put the card in the pocket of his jacket, the one with the zipper, so it wouldn't fall out.
Is every interpretation okay?
No. An interpretation must be supported by evidence from the text and must not ignore evidence that goes against it. For example, Mr. Kwan is angry at Theo is not reasonable: he smiles, gives free candy and writes a kind card.
But more than one interpretation can be reasonable. Readers bring different experiences, so they may notice different things. When you disagree with a classmate, ask: What's your evidence? You might extend your understanding by seeing something you missed.