Prove It with Text Evidence

Use specific evidence to support what a literary or informational text states directly and what can reasonably be inferred.

How the lesson starts: Prove It with Text Evidence

Order in the Pond Court!
Welcome to the Pond Court. Attorney Ozzie, an otter in a tiny bow tie, argues about stories. Judge Hoot the owl has one rule. Every claim needs proof from the text. Today's cases are short: one sentence, one claim, one best detail.
Proof must prove
Case one. Kemi packed her goggles and bounced on her toes by the door. Claim: Kemi is excited. Attorney Pim the duck shouts goggles! But goggles only show swimming. Ozzie points to bouncing on her toes. That detail actually shows excitement.
Worked example: the umbrella
Ozzie's next case. Rosa looked at the dark clouds and slipped an umbrella into her backpack. Claim: Rosa expects rain. Ozzie tests each detail. Her backpack proves nothing. Dark clouds plus the umbrella do. And kids often forget umbrellas? True in real life, but not in the text.