All about Inferences What are you doing when you infer? Chat with your neighbor for about 30 seconds. Raise your hand when you have an answer.

What is an inference? Official Answer: using text clues and your background knowledge to figure out information that isn’t directly stated in the text. We often infer to figure out why something happened If someone implies something, we infer their meaning So, how is an inference different from a prediction? Students take notes

Keep in mind… You usually find out if your prediction is correct, but you may never find out if your inference was right Predictions are usually about the future, whereas inferences can be about the past, present or future Students take notes

Let’s Practice! Watch this short video: Pigeon: Impossible While watching, try to make inferences about the setting, the two characters, the problem, and the solution

Video Clip Questions Always support your inferences with text evidence and/or background knowledge! What time of day did the story take place? What clues helped you figure it out? How does the man feel once the pigeon is trapped in his briefcase? How do you know? How does the man try to get the pigeon out of the briefcase the 1st time? Why doesn’t it work? How does the pigeon feel about being trapped in the briefcase? How do you know? What kind of person is the agent? How do you know?

Read the passage and answer with your neighbor The alarm rang through the building. Everyone jumped up from the table where they were having supper. They pulled on boots, special pants, and jackets. Last of all, they put on their helmets before jumping onto the truck. With sirens blaring, they were on their way. Who is this story about? How do you know? I have students write their answer on a small dry erase board to keep them engaged – answer is firefighters

I watched the gentleman glide along the top of the lake through the quiet morning mist. The only sound was that of his paddles gently cutting through the surface of the water. They carried him along in the quiet. Our own boat, tied to the pylon, gently tapped the wooden structure on which I sat. I shifted on the hard surface, getting more comfortable as I took in the serenity around me. Where might the writer be? Which clues from the text helped you? I have students write their answer on a small dry erase board to keep them engaged – answer is a dock or small pier

My aunt is getting married My aunt is getting married! She got engaged on Valentine's Day and is so excited. She has always wanted to plan a holiday wedding. Now, she is absorbed in loads of details. We are already looking at decorations and dresses. Everything we are analyzing has a festive theme, and almost all the decorations are red, green or gold. It is going to be a beautiful wedding. When might the wedding be occurring? How do you know? I have students write their answer on a small dry erase board to keep them engaged – answer is Christmas time

Incorrect Inferences Sometimes our inferences aren’t correct, even though we used prior knowledge and text evidence. Watch this video clip and identify at least 2 wrong inferences made by the detective. Defective Detective This is a funny animated short about a detective who misinterprets evidence

Let’s make some inferences about a photograph Show a photograph to students and ask them to infer what is happening – setting, characters, problem, possible solution, emotions, etc.

What are at least 3 things you can infer about this person based on their feet? Turn and share with your neighbor.

What is this man going to say to the woman? Why do you think this?