Making Inferences

Reading Between the Lines Making Inferences Ms. Gwynne 7th Grade Language Arts

Inference- a conclusion or educated guess that is made using details in the text and prior knowledge Prior knowledge Make a LEAP to an … Inference Details from the text

Use this process to make an inference… • Details from the text • Prior knowledge • Inference

How is a reader like a detective? Making inferences is like solving a mystery….

How is a reader like a detective? • The author might not reveal EVERYTHING the reader may need to know. • The meaning may not be stated directly. • The reader has to put together the meaning using CLUES from the text.

How do I make an Inference? 6 An inference or educated guess is made by: 1. Thinking about details you readin the passage, 2. Relating that to what you already know about the subject, and 3. Using this to figure out meaning that is not directly stated directly in the text.

We make inferences all the time in real life!! How many of you can look at your parents and tell if it’s a good time to ask for something? • . • What details reveal their mood? • What prior knowledge do you already have to help you make an inference? • Have you had past experiences that help you figure it out?

Making Inferences What is an Inference? Let’s say you’re planning to go to the movies with your friends. One friend, though, sends a text message saying she can’t come. Then, you remember that she had been coughing at school earlier that day. What do you think might be the reason for canceling? When you make a guess based on evidence and your own prior knowledge or experience, you are making an inference. You may not realize it, but you make inferences all the time. You may infer that your friend is too sick to join you at the movies.

Making Inferences – read between the lines Once you’ve looked at the evidence, then make an inference, or an educated guess, about what is happening. When you make an inference, you first need to examine all available clues and consider what you already know. Clues: Your friend has cancelled on you. She was coughing earlier. Prior Knowledge: Sometimes, sick people cough and lack the energy to go out. Inference: Your friend cancelled because she is too sick to go to the movies.

Practice Making Inferences Suppose you are on your way to the State Fair and the traffic is creeping along the highway. What can you infer? I know…. There are often many people there from all around North Carolina that go to the State Fair. I can infer…. Traffic is slow because lots of people are heading to the fairgrounds and it will probably be crowded at the fair.

Example #1: You are making inferences everyday! • If you walk outside and the sidewalk is wet, what inferences could you make?

However, when you turn the corner you see…. Is it possible you might have to change your inference when you have more information? Is there another reason why the sidewalk might be wet??

Example #2: How do you think this person feels? What clues let you know how he feels?

I see… I know… I infer I see…. a man with his face skewed up and tears coming out of his eyes. I know…. that I cry like that when I am very upset. I infer…. that the man is very upset about something.

Steps to Making Inferences Step 1: Examine Details The first step in making an inference is to examine key details in the text. As you read, look for details that tell about the main characters or the conflicts they experience. • Judy lied to her friends. She told them she was visiting her grandma the weekend of the dance. She actually stayed home. Though she was usually outgoing, Judy knew she would be uncomfortable at the dance. At the last one, she had spent the night cowering awkwardly in the corner, terrified that someone would pull her onto the dance floor.

Explain your answer! Step 1: Examine Details What inference can you make about Judy? She dislikes most people. B. She is a shy person. C. She doesn’t like to dance. D. She is mad at her friends. • Judy lied to her friends. She told them she was visiting her grandma the weekend of the dance. She actually stayed home. Though she was usually outgoing, Judy knew she would be uncomfortable at the dance. At the last one, she had spent the night cowering awkwardly in the corner, terrified that someone would pull her onto the dance floor. A. Try again! The text states that Judy has not friends, so it’s unlikely that she dislikes most people. B. Sorry! The passage mentions that Judy is usually an outgoing person. C. You’ve got it! The text says that Judy “spent the night cowering in the corner, terrified that someone would pull her onto the dance floor.” These are actions of someone who dislikes dancing. D. Sorry, that’s not right. There’s no evidence in the text that suggests Judy is mad at her friends.

Steps to Making Inferences Step 1: Examine Details Inferring Setting in a Story Remember that writers may not always tell you directly about characters, events, or settings. Instead, they include details that help you make inferences. • Which of the following details help you infer the setting of the story? B) She sat on the flattest rock around and brushed the dirt off her shoes. A) Erin looked at his plate and made a sour face. C) The heat on deck was intense, and the swaying with each wave made him feel sick. D) Thomas smiled, and to his surprise, she smiled right back! That’s right! B helps you infer an outdoor setting! The clues in C-- on deck and wave help you infer the character is on a ship or boat.

Steps to Making Inferences Step 2: Use Prior Knowledge The second step in making an inference involves using prior knowledge, or what you know from your own experiences. • Recall the story about Judy? Judy attended a dance with her friends but sat alone in the corner all night. From her behavior, you might infer that Judy is painfully shy. However, the story states that Judy is usually outgoing, so this inference can’t be correct. • Your prior knowledge may tell you that someone also might not dance because he or she feels awkward or simply doesn’t like dancing. By combining this knowledge with what you know about Judy, you can then determine that this is logical inference.

Making an Inference Step 2: Use Prior Knowledge Oh, wow, does she ever look angry, Liam thought nervously as he faced his science teacher. Ms. Boscoff insisted that he explain his behavior in lab. Liam knew he had no excuse. He looked down at the floor and cleared his throat before he began to speak. • What can you infer about Liam? • A) He is relieved. • B) He feels guilty. • C) He is happy. • D) He feels depressed. Correct! The text says that Liam “knew he had no excuse” for his behavior. His body language is another clue. Some people avoid eye contact and clear their throats when they feel nervous or guilty.

Making an Inference Step 3: Make an Inference By combining details from the text with your prior knowledge you can make an inference or educated guess about what is occurring in the text. Making inferences helps you uncover and appreciate a story’s full meaning. Step 3 Step 1 Step 2 • Inference or educated guess • Details from the text • Prior knowledge

Making an Inference Continue to practice what you’ve learned. Practice Passage #1 Jenny couldn’t figure out why this was happening. All of a sudden, she was struggling with algebra. She was embarrassed by how little she understood. She studied hard every day, but she just didn’t get it! Her first test was coming up on Friday, and Jenny was desperate for help. • What can you infer about Jenny? • A) She is usually not a good student. • B) She will join a study group. • C) She is very serious about school. A is not the right answer because the clues in the text suggest this has happened “all of a sudden,” and the situation is unusual for her. B is not correct. This is a prediction about what Jenny might do, not an inference. C is the correct because the details in the text suggest Jenny is worried about the test. She is not used to doing poorly She studies hard every day. It is reasonable to infer that she is a serious student.

Making Inferences Practice Passage #2 : Use the character’s actions to make an inference What is one supported inference you can make? Neve also auditioned for the musical David is unhappy with his audition David is angry with Neve for betraying his confidence. The two students have done badly on the test. • “Hey, David—wait,” Neve said, but he didn’t turn around. He hadn’t even looked at her! She watched as walked down the hall to his own locker. He spun the dial on the lock, yanked the door open, and grabbed a pile of books and papers. He slammed the door shut and then ran off, scowling. Neve remembered that today had been his audition for the school musical. B) You can infer from the mention of the audition that David is upset for this reason.

UnsupportedInferences • Fara hated swimming in swimming pools. She preferred the cool, splashing waters of the San Gabriel River. But when Thomas called and invited her to the city pool, Fara agreed to meet him there. • Misreading a text or overlooking crucial clues can lead you to make unsupported inferences. • An unsupported inference is an inference that is not logical and often contradicts the details in the text. Unsupported Inference: Fara is afraid of the water.

Supported Inferences- when you read, your goal is to make inferences backed up by details in the text Fara hated swimming in swimming pools. She preferred the cool, splashing waters of the San Gabriel River. But when Thomas called and invited her to the city pool, Fara agreed to meet him there. unsupported inferences about fara Supported inference about fara Fara probably likes Thomas. She agrees to do something she doesn’t like to do (swim in the city pool) because he asked her to. • Fara is afraid of the water. • Fara can’t swim. • Fara think swimming pools are dirty.

SupportedInferences Read the passage. Then, choose the statement that is a supported inference. A) Jamie grew up in the tropics. Jamie exited the plane and immediately felt the warm tropical air against his face. As he walked through the small terminal, thoughts crowded his mind. Growing up, his vacations had always been very different—road trips through the Midwest, mostly. He’d never been somewhere like this. He looked around, soaking in every detail of the unfamiliar setting. This is an unsupported inference b/c in the text it says “he’d never been somewhere like this.” B) Jamie is going to dislike his vacation. There is not enough information in the passage to infer this. C) Jamie is intrigued by his new surroundings. Good job! This inference is supported by details in the text.

UnsupportedInferences Read the passage. What can you infer about Danny by analyzing his thoughts and actions? An hour later, Danny finally pedaled his bicycle into the driveway of his cousin’s rambling old house. It was a rough ride, hilly and with no sidewalks for miles. He was hot and thirsty. Still, he hesitated a moment before ringing the bell. Maybe I could just turn back around, he thought. He looked down at his jeans and grimaced at the black streak his bike chain had left there. Great. Just one more thing to comment on. • As you know, unsupported inferences are not backed up by details in the text. Rather, they often contradict those details. Which inference about Danny is unsupported? . Danny lives far away from his cousin. He does not want to go in the house. He gets along well with his cousin.

Practice Making Inferences #1 Read the following passage about kittens and answer the practice questions. D) Although, you might be able to back up this inference with prior knowledge, it is unsupported. There are no details in the text to suggest that kittens are more playful that dogs. The list of chores was endless! The new kitten needed to have fresh, clean water available at all times. Make sure the water bowl is heavy enough it can’t be tipped over. Feed him dry food, canned food, or both, but only ever food made especially for kittens. Kittens should eat every few hours, so keep his bowls filled with food. The kitten can’t retain his body heat very well, so check the bed and be sure it’s warm. On and on…Derrick was starting to think adopting this little guy hadn’t been a great idea. Which of these inferences is unsupported by the text? Young kittens need lots of care. Kittens need fresh, clean water. Young kittens eat every few hours. Kittens are more playful than dogs.

Practice Making Inferences #2 One inference you can make from this passage is that— young kittens need their mothers young kittens are very fragile kittens need a special kind of food some kittens play in their water The list of chores was endless! The new kitten needed to have fresh, clean water available at all times. Make sure the water bowl is heavy enough it can’t be tipped over. Feed him dry food, canned food, or both, but only ever food made especially for kittens. Kittens should eat every few hours, so keep his bowls filled with food. The kitten can’t retain his body heat very well, so check the bed and be sure it’s warm. On and on…Derrick was starting to think adopting this little guy hadn’t been a great idea. B) You can infer this from the fact that kittens need special food, special beds, and lots of attention.

Making Inferences A Summary • As you read, look for clues to help you make inferences. • Your goal is to make supported inferences, not unsupported inferences. • In addition to clues, use your prior knowledge to make inferences.

CARTOON #1What inferences can we make? View the cartoon to make an inference about what it means. • 1. describe the cartoon2. tell what knowledge you have to bring to the cartoon to understand it3. explain what message the artist is trying to portray

CARTOON #2: Making Inferences Analyze the cartoon to make an inference about what it means. • 1. describe the cartoon2. tell what prior knowledge you have to bring to the cartoon to understand it3. explain the message the artist is trying to portray

CARTOON #3 Make an Inference. Take the steps: Look at the picture Use your prior knowledge Look at the words Think about the words Listen to others Make connections

Making Inferences We have practiced inferring using CARTOONS. Now let’s try RIDDLES!!! • http://www.philtulga.com/Riddles.html

Get ready to practice making inferences while we READ!!!! READY…SET…INFER!!!! • Books that are written in a form that is not conventional narrative (a story) often require that we do a lot of inferring—or reading between the lines

Now try it without a picture: Waiting in the long line for just a quick rush of pleasure almost doesn’t seem worth it, but when the wind is rushing in my face and causing me cheeks to stretch back, I can’t stop smiling. The sharp twists and turns cause my stomach to churn, but I want to keep going forever! What am I doing?

I read…… I know…. I infer I read…. I know…. I infer…. Waiting in the long line for just a quick rush of pleasure almost doesn’t seem worth it, but when the wind is rushing in my face and causing me cheeks to stretch back, I can’t stop smiling. The sharp twists and turns cause my stomach to churn, but I want to keep going forever!

Detective LaRue, Letters from the Investigation “Two neighborhood cats go missing, birds are disappearing from pet shops all over town and now nearly a whole family of pigeons is gone as well! When LaRue the dog is falsely accused of catnapping, he is determined to get to the bottom of the situation!”

Making Inferences Chart Directions: Copy the chart in your daybooks. Fill in information as I “read-aloud” Detective LaRue, Letters from the Investigation. We will discuss as a class.

Drawing Conclusions…. What phrases describe this emotion? Phrases that describe someone who is angry… Red faced Fists clenched Body trembling Jaw clenched Veins popping Tight lipped Glaring eyes • ANGRY

Drawing conclusions about characters in text…. Clues…. Emotion… Embarrassed • Blushing • Darting eyes • Shaking • Giggling nervously • Shifting feet

Making Inferences