Making Inferences Using clues to make a guess

Activity Are there any future actors or actresses in the room?

In the game of charades, you were able to make a GUESS about how a character was feeling by his or her actions. When you INFER, you do the same thing. You use clues and what you know to make guesses about what is happening.

We make inferences all the time as we read. AN INFERENCE IS A BEST GUESS ABOUT SOMETHING THE AUTHOR DIDN’T EXPLAIN.

Be a Reading Detective Let’s be reading detectives! In the following examples, we will look for CLUES to make GUESSES about what is happening.

Paragraph One David never thought he would end up here. It was dark, cold and damp. In fact, it smelled moldy and mildewy. Something flew past him at such speed that he yelled and ducked. David couldn’t wait to get out of this pit. After the animal flyby, he ran up the steep, wet cliff until he saw daylight. David decided he would never walk down into that hole again!

My Inference I infer that David got lost in a cave. Here are the clues that support my inference: David never thought he would end up here. It was dark, cold and damp. In fact, it smelled moldy and mildewy. Something flew past him at such speed that he yelled and ducked. David couldn’t wait to get out of this pit. After the animal flyby, he ran up the steep, wet cliff until he saw daylight. David decided he would never walk down into that hole again! I bet it was a bat!

Paragraph Two Spring can be a miserable time. My chores are so exhausting that I sometimes cry. With this one particular chore, my muscles ache because of the pressure I have to put on the handle. Blades are flying, making a huge roaring sound. It’s not fair that I get stuck with this job. I end up getting really dirty--and green.

My Inference I infer that mowing the lawn is the chore being described. Here are the clues that support my inference: Spring can be a miserable time. My chores are so exhausting that I sometimes cry. With this one particular chore, my muscles ache because of the pressure I have to put on the handle. Blades are flying, making a huge roaring sound. It’s not fair that I get stuck with this job. I end up getting really dirty--and green.

Now You Try! 1. Read the following paragraphs. Use the clues to make an inference. 2. Write your inference on your slate. Then, write the clues (key words or phrases) that support your inference.

Patrick walked into the classroom and all his classmates turned to look at him. He had just been to the doctor’s office and was arriving late to school. He knew the cast on his arm would stir up questions. If only Patrick hadn’t climbed that tree! What happened to Patrick?

Jack went into the backyard to play catch with his new puppy Rascal. As he was searching for Rascal’s bone, he twisted his ankle. The accident was painful! Jack’s dad was always making sure the grass was even. Certainly he would have noticed the hole and filled it up. Neither Jack nor his father could figure out how the hole appeared. Who or what do you thing caused the hole?

For the third day in a row, it rained. Josh’s teacher found a game for the class to play inside. Most of the students enjoyed “Heads Up, Seven Up” but it just wasn’t the same. Josh was disappointed. What is Josh missing because of the rain?

Nice Work Reading Detectives! To show off your skills, complete the worksheet: “CLUE FINDER” But before you do.....can you answer one last question on your slate?

What is an inference?