Unlocking inference - close reading

Overview

This video demonstrates close reading in action. Following on from a whole-class read of a text, the close read focuses first on basic retrieval, which supports children’s ability to make inferences. It also highlights the importance of making sure pupils are able to track pronouns as they read through a text. The process begins with a line-by-line read through, ahead of which the children are shown a ‘big question’ to keep at the back of their minds. As they read, pupils are asked to quickly discuss their understanding of the text with a partner. Comprehension of the line-by-line reading is supported by earlier whole-class reads, which have helped children to understand the wider context of the piece. The course creators, Chris and Lindsay, highlight the importance of careful planning for this kind of close text analysis, with an emphasis on inference and how this comes from the sum of the retrievals children have taken from the text.

Course Creator

Christine and Lindsay are experienced English specialists based in Kingston upon Thames. They support numerous primary schools, alliances and federations. Both have worked in schools as senior literacy teachers and helped to launch and run school improvement programmes across their borough, and written for publishers including OUP, Pearson and Collins.

About the Course

This series of live lessons show a tried and tested approach to whole-class reading in action. We see how choral reading can improve fluency and comprehension for all pupils and how this leads to a close reading of the text and an exploration of vocabulary that unlocks inference for the class. It’s a process that gives children the skills they need to tackle comprehension questions at a higher level.