Home › Teacher Lessons › Grade/Year 7 & 8 English lessons › Responding to a Story

Responding to a Story

English inference and evidence for a Grade/Year 7 or 8 classroom, with reading, subject language, speaking and writing.

Grade/Year 7 & 845–60 minutesPrintable

Teacher lesson: Read the short text aloud and model the first task. Students can plan in a language they know well before speaking or writing in English. Use all twelve panels or adjust the pace for your learners.

Teacher Answers Back to Teacher Lessons

1Reading

A student is welcomed into a new classroom by a classmate — Illustration: A welcome in class.

Before you read:

Look at the title. What do you know about English inference and evidence? Tell a partner one idea.

When Hana entered the classroom, everyone was already working. She held her new timetable tightly and looked for an empty seat. A student moved a bag from the chair beside him and smiled. ‘You can sit here,’ he said. At first Hana answered quietly. During the activity, he showed her where the instructions were written. By the end of class, Hana raised her hand to share an idea. The story does not say directly how she feels, but her actions help readers make a careful inference about her growing confidence.

2Vocabulary

Words: inference · confidence · clue

Write a short meaning or example. You may use a language you know well first.

inference –

confidence –

clue –

3Comprehension

4Language Focus

Use these sentence starters. Change the words to fit your idea.

At first Hana seems because .

Later, suggests that .

Write one sentence of your own.

5Listen and Note

Listen as your teacher reads the text again. Note two key ideas or facts.

First idea:

Second idea:

Compare your notes with a partner.

6Speaking

Tell a partner what Hana might feel at the start and end. Give a clue for each idea.

Use a sentence starter from panel 4. Ask your partner one follow-up question.

Useful questions: “Could you explain that?” “Why do you think so?”

7Try It

Use this skill: How might you use English inference and evidence in another lesson or everyday situation? Give one example and explain it to a partner.

Draw a quick plan or write three key words before you speak.

8Writing

Write a paragraph explaining how Hana changes, with two details from the story.

Plan in a language you know well if it helps. Then write your answer in English.

9Word Study

Choose the correct words from this lesson’s reading.

Word bank: inference · confidence

An uses clues from a story. Hana gains when she shares an idea.

10Sentence Builder

Put these words in the right order. Check the capital letter and punctuation.

where / Could you show me / the instructions are / ?

11School English

You arrive after the class has started and cannot find the instructions.

Write a polite question or response you could use at school. Then say it to a partner.

12Exit Reflection ✓

Take a few minutes to reflect.

1. One useful word I learnt in this lesson:

2. One thing I can do in class:

3. One question I still have: