Minds On
Interpreting an oral text
You are going to explore a short video about the sun. After the video, you will share your interpretation of both the main idea and the most important information from the video. You can record your answer using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Access the following TVO Space Kids video entitled “The Sun” to learn more about this subject.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Reflect on the following question after examining the video:
- Is it possible that someone else would have a different interpretation of the main idea and the most important information shared in this video?
Share your interpretation of the main idea and what you believe to be the most important information with a partner, if possible, or using a method of your choice.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Action
Exploring stated and implied ideas
A stated idea is often what information appears directly in the text. It is the literal meaning of the text.
An implied idea is what we can infer from the text. It is not directly in the text, and it is what we refer to as the “hidden meaning” of the text.
Access the following audio recording entitled The Chef and the Baker to examine a short conversation between these two characters.
The Chef and the Baker
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
With a partner, if possible, or in a method of your choice, consider your thoughts about the following question:
- How do stated and implied ideas from texts, such as oral and written texts, support our interpretation of the text?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
The following activity includes six implied or stated ideas from the audio recording you just examined. Return to it as often as you need in order to complete this activity.
Examine the following statements from the audio recording and decide if they are “Implied” or “Stated” in the oral text. Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to learn how you did.
Now consider the following question:
- Might different people interpret the oral text in different ways? Why?
Different interpretations of a message
There are different reasons why someone might interpret a message differently. Consider the following situation:
A scientist is sharing the discovery of a new planet in our solar system with an audience. How might the following audience members interpret the stated information?
- another scientist who was not on this discovery team
- an astrology student
- someone who is curious about space and would like to learn more
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
There are factors that might influence how someone interprets information.
Press ‘Factors’ to reveal a list of factors.
Some of these factors include:
- age
- gender
- education
- experience
- passion
- job
- geography
There are five examples of oral texts shared next. Using the list of factors, choose two that might influence how someone might respond to each oral text.
Consider the following examples of oral texts:
- a spoken word poem about nature
- a song about the beauty of Canada
- an audio book about climate change
- an article about cell phone use
- a news broadcast about an interview with a famous actor
Press ‘Sample answer’ to reveal an example of a possible answer.
Share your ideas with a partner, if possible, or record your answers independently. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Consolidation
Oral text analysis
Let’s return to the subject of science, where we began in the Minds On section. Explore the following TVO Space Kids episode entitled “What is a Nebula?” to learn more about space.
Record your responses to the following questions using the "Oral Text Analysis" document or a method of your choice. Support your ideas using evidence from the text.
- What is your interpretation of the main idea of this text?
- What is your interpretation of two stated and two implied ideas shared in this text?
- How and why might someone interpret this oral text differently than you?
Complete Oral Text Analysis in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| Questions | Responses |
|---|---|
| What is your interpretation of the main idea of this text? | |
| What is your interpretation of two stated and two implied ideas shared in this text? | |
| How and why might someone interpret this oral text differently than you? |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Oral Text Analysis.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.