What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
30 minutes total
ByH. G. Wells
Grade6-8
Time30 minutes
Essential question
What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
Marked passage
Passage location
Chapter VIII · Explanation
Start anchor
I do not know how long I sat peering down that well.
End anchor
The great triumph of Humanity I had dreamed of took a different shape in my mind.
Passage focus
The Time Traveller revises his theory
Ways to teach it
Listening
Listen to the exact passage; visual following is optional. Same question and evidence demand.
Solo
Read the exact passage independently.
Supported
Use narration and sentence highlighting while reading the same passage.
Teacher guide
Close
Name the single detail that most changed or sharpened your interpretation, and explain why.
Evidence
Identify one claim from the first theory and one later observation that contradicts it. Strong answers explain what the new evidence forces the Traveller to change, not just that he becomes confused.
Mark
Underline the parts of the original theory. Circle the new evidence that does not fit. Write REVISE beside the first moment the Traveller changes the explanation rather than forcing the evidence into the old one.
Instructional move
Revise an interpretation when new evidence appears
Notice
• What did the first theory explain well? • Which new fact creates the biggest problem for it? • What distinguishes revising an interpretation from simply abandoning it?
Strong answer
A reader should revise the theory rather than defend it when new evidence no longer fits. The Traveller's first explanation of the Eloi works until fear, underground machinery, and the Morlocks require a different model of the future society.
Think
Answer provisionally: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory? Choose the strongest interpretation you can defend from this passage alone.
Watch for
Do not say the original theory was foolish simply because it turns out incomplete. Good interpretation can be reasonable and still require revision.
Why this passage
The Time Traveller begins with a theory that seems to explain the Eloi, but new evidence—fear, darkness, machinery, and the Morlocks—makes that theory inadequate. The passage models interpretation as provisional rather than as something a clever reader should defend at all costs.
Write
Write a short evidence-based response to: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory? Use at least two details from the assigned passage and explain how they support your interpretation.
Student tasks
Mark
Underline the parts of the original theory. Circle the new evidence that does not fit. Write REVISE beside the first moment the Traveller changes the explanation rather than forcing the evidence into the old one.
Notice
What did the first theory explain well? Which new fact creates the biggest problem for it? What distinguishes revising an interpretation from simply abandoning it?
Think
Answer provisionally: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
Write
Write a short response using at least two pieces of evidence from this passage. Use evidence from the assigned passage. Show what you noticed and how the text supports your interpretation.
Ready-to-teach lesson
TumbleTA 6-12 · TEXT-BASED LESSON
FOUNDING 10 · 6-8 · LESSON 6
The Time Machine
H. G. Wells
What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
TOTAL TIME
PASSAGE
30 minutes
The Time Traveller revises his theory
FIND THE ANCHOR TEXT
Use the Anchor Text Table of Contents in the Enhanced Reader to open the START anchor. Then use the dropdown to select the END anchor.
SECTION / LOCATION
Chapter VIII · Explanation
START
I do not know how long I sat peering down that well.
END
The great triumph of Humanity I had dreamed of took a different shape in my mind.
PASSAGE ID
sec-06-the-time-machine
THE MOVE
Revise an interpretation when new evidence appears
WHY THIS PASSAGE
The Time Traveller begins with a theory that seems to explain the Eloi, but new evidence—fear, darkness, machinery, and the Morlocks—makes that theory inadequate. The passage models interpretation as provisional rather than as something a clever reader should defend at all costs.
MARK
Underline the parts of the original theory. Circle the new evidence that does not fit. Write REVISE beside the first moment the Traveller changes the explanation rather than forcing the evidence into the old one.
page 1
NOTICE
What did the first theory explain well?
Which new fact creates the biggest problem for it?
What distinguishes revising an interpretation from simply abandoning it?
THINK
Answer provisionally: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory? Choose the strongest interpretation you can defend from this passage alone.
WRITE
Write a short evidence-based response to: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory? Use at least two details from the assigned passage and explain how they support your interpretation.
CLOSE
Name the single detail that most changed or sharpened your interpretation, and explain why.
STRONG ANSWER
A reader should revise the theory rather than defend it when new evidence no longer fits. The Traveller's first explanation of the Eloi works until fear, underground machinery, and the Morlocks require a different model of the future society.
EVIDENCE
Identify one claim from the first theory and one later observation that contradicts it. Strong answers explain what the new evidence forces the Traveller to change, not just that he becomes confused.
WATCH FOR
Do not say the original theory was foolish simply because it turns out incomplete. Good interpretation can be reasonable and still require revision.
SOLO
Read the exact passage independently.
SUPPORTED
Use narration and sentence highlighting while reading the same passage.
LISTENING
Listen to the exact passage; visual following is optional. Same question and evidence demand.
page 2
STUDENT PAGE · SAME PASSAGE, SAME THINKING
The Time Machine
H. G. Wells
What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
START ANCHOR
I do not know how long I sat peering down that well.
END ANCHOR
The great triumph of Humanity I had dreamed of took a different shape in my mind.
Use the Anchor Text Table of Contents in the Enhanced Reader to open the START anchor. Then use the dropdown to select the END anchor.
OPEN THE MARKED PASSAGE IN TUMBLELIT
SOLO: read independently. SUPPORTED: use narration + highlighting. LISTENING: listen to the exact passage. The question and evidence task stay the same.
1.MARK - Underline the parts of the original theory. Circle the new evidence that does not fit.
Write REVISE beside the first moment the Traveller changes the explanation rather than forcing the evidence into the old one.
2.NOTICE - What did the first theory explain well? Which new fact creates the biggest problem for
it? What distinguishes revising an interpretation from simply abandoning it?
3.THINK - Answer provisionally: What should a reader do when the evidence breaks the theory?
4.WRITE - Write a short response using at least two pieces of evidence from this passage.
Use evidence from the assigned passage. Show what you noticed and how the text supports your interpretation.
page 3
Original printable PDF
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