THE HANDBOOK ON MAKING INFERENCES

5.RL.1& 5.IT.1 How to become a text detective

What is an inference?

Inferences are special kinds of guesses. To make inferences, you have to come

up with your own ideas, answers, and thoughts about what you have read.

Good readers can make inferences based on what a passage says.

STEPS TO TAKE

1. Read a passage carefully. 2. Look for details about what a person does.

What do the person's actions tell you? 3. Look for details that describe a place or event.

Based on real life, what do those details tell you? 4. Make a guess (inference) about a character or

item in the passage. 5. Check to see if you can find a detail or

sentence that led to your guess. If you cannot find something to support your guess, then your guess might be wrong.

Watch this clip!

https://c2568332.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/ela_05_makinginferences.swf

Make some inferences!

How do you think this person feels? What clues do you have?

Practice Making Inferences

•Laura had $5.00. Her mother had given the money to her so that she could buy a present for her brother. While Laura was shopping, she saw a book she had been wanting to read. It cost $4.50.

Fact or InferenceA. Laura had $5.00B. The book cost $4.50C. Laura bought the book she wanted.D. She didn’t have a present to give her brother.

What the author said + what I know = my inference

The weather

had been

scorching for weeks.

Summer is the hottest time of

the year.

It is summer

.

What the author said + what I know = my inference

Al took out a

pitcher of cold lemona

de.

You keep

things cold in

a refridger-ator.

Al took the

lemonade out of the

refridger-ator.

Read the passage

A package came for you today,” Greg’s mother said as he walked in. “I think it’s from Aunt Ginny.” Greg peeled the tape from the box and ripped off the brown paper. He tore off the gift wrap to find a stuffed bear inside. Aunt Ginny never seemed to realize that he was no longer three years old and hadn’t been for more than seven years. Then he thought about the trouble Aunt Ginny had gone through to select the present and mail it. Greg sat

Inference Chart

Prior Knowledge

•I know that people get packages for special occasions•I know that if I was a 10 year old boy I wouldn’t want a teddy bear.•I know that you are supposed to write thank-you notes when you receive a gift.

Evidence From Text

•Greg tore the gift wrap offthe package•Aunt Ginny never seemed to realize that he was no longer three years old•Greg sat down at the kitchen table with a pen and paper

My Inference

It was Greg’s birthday•He did not like the present very much•He wrote Aunt Ginny a thank-you note for the present

Making inferences

There are two ways to answer inference and conclusion questions. You can make a guess or support a guess.

Let’s practice !

       Landon was excited about his mother's birthday. He asked his older brother, Hunter, to take him to the store to buy a present.       "Sure, I'll take you to the store anytime. Tell me what you would like to get, and I'll take you to a store that sells it."       "I want to get her flowers. She loves them," Landon said.       "Great. I'll take you to the florist. How much money do you have?" Hunter asked.       Landon frowned. "None. Can I borrow some from you?"       "Sorry, little brother," Hunter said. "My money's gone. I would give you some if I had any."       Landon sat down at the kitchen table and put his chin on his hands. He looked out the window and tried not to cry. What could he do? Then he knew. Through the kitchen window he saw wildflowers in bloom. He saw pink, white, and some tiny blue splashes. He would just make a bouquet of flowers on his own. He could put the flowers in a jar and paint hearts on it. He felt better when he thought of how much his mom would love her present. He got to work.

Make a GUESS:Use details from the passage to make an inference or conclusion.

Question:  From information in the story, what can the reader conclude about Landon?

Think: Look for details in the story about Landon. He has a problem in the story because he does not have money for a gift. Then, he comes up with a way to solve his problem. He does not need anyone's help in the end. He thinks of a special gift for his mom.

Answer:  Landon can solve problems on his own.

Landon was excited about his mother's birthday. He asked his older brother, Hunter, to take him to the store to buy a present.       "Sure, I'll take you to the store anytime. Tell me what you would like to get, and I'll take you to a store that sells it."       "I want to get her flowers. She loves them," Landon said.       "Great. I'll take you to the florist. How much money do you have?" Hunter asked.       Landon frowned. "None. Can I borrow some from you?"       "Sorry, little brother," Hunter said. "My money's gone. I would give you some if I had any."       Landon sat down at the kitchen table and put his chin on his hands. He looked out the window and tried not to cry. What could he do? Then he knew. Through the kitchen window he saw wildflowers in bloom. He saw pink, white, and some tiny blue splashes. He would just make a bouquet of flowers on his own. He could put the flowers in a jar and paint hearts on it. He felt better when he thought of how much his mom would love her present. He got to work.

Support a guess:The question below gives an inference or conclusion. You have to show that it is correct.

Question:  How can the reader tell that Landon and Hunter have a good relationship?

Think:  Look in the story for details about Landon and Hunter's relationship. When Landon asks Hunter to take him to the store, Hunter agrees. Hunter also says that he would give Landon money if he had any. You know from real life that people want to help others if they have a good relationship with them.

Answer  Hunter is willing to help Landon get a present.

Make an inference

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.

Which probably happened? A. Turner realizes that he had an unnatural fear and

falling radio parts. B. Turner had promised himself to do something silly

that morning. C. Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted

rain. D. Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus ride.

Make an Inference

A giant hand inside my chest Stretched out and takes

My heart within its mighty grasp And squeezes till it breaks

A gentle hand inside my chest, With mending tape and glue,

Patches up my heart until It’s almost good as new.

I ought to know by now that Broken hearts will heal again . But while I wait for glue and

tape, The Pain! The Pain! The Pain!

1.The poem is probably aboutA. a womanb. a MAN C. a broken heart D. heart surgery

2. It can be inferred that the subject of the poemA. is in a lot of physical pain B. enjoys arts and craftsC. is a good friendD. has had a broken heart