1. Inferences
EQ – How do you use clues from the story and your own background knowledge to make an inference or draw a conclusion?

2. Click here

3. Authors don't always tell you everything
Authors don't always tell you everything! Sometimes readers must use: CLUES (from story) + EXPERIENCE (prior knowledge) to make guesses as they read. This is called making an inference.

4. Inference
What can we infer from this picture?

5. Inferencing To make a decision based on clues, hints, and facts.
Reading between the lines

6. A Special Tour
Welcome! The tour is about to begin. First stop is the cornfield. It must be time to pick the corn crop. The cow pasture is near the cornfield. The cows eat grass and drink water. This helps them produce milk. A flock of sheep grazes in their pasture. The sheep have coats of soft wool. At the barn, the pigs are squealing at a dog that’s bothering them. The henhouse is the last stop on the tour. The farmer is collecting the eggs. It’s time to say goodbye.
Clues
What I Know
What I Can Infer
Cornfield, cow pasture, flock of sheep, barn, henhouse, farmer
All these things can be found in a farm.
The tour is taking place on a farm.

7. A Special Tour
Welcome! The tour is about to begin. First stop is the cornfield. It must be time to pick the corn crop. The cow pasture is near the cornfield. The cows eat grass and drink water. This helps them produce milk. A flock of sheep grazes in their pasture. The sheep have coats of soft wool. At the barn, the pigs are squealing at a dog that’s bothering them. The henhouse is the last stop on the tour. The farmer is collecting the eggs. It’s time to say goodbye.
Clues
What I Know
What I Can Infer
Cornfield, cow pasture, flock of sheep, barn, henhouse, farmer
All these things can be found in a farm.
The tour is taking place on a farm.

8. A Special Tour
Welcome! The tour is about to begin. First stop is the cornfield. It must be time to pick the corn crop. The cow pasture is near the cornfield. The cows eat grass and drink water. This helps them produce milk. A flock of sheep grazes in their pasture. The sheep have coats of soft wool. At the barn, the pigs are squealing at a dog that’s bothering them. The henhouse is the last stop on the tour. The farmer is collecting the eggs. It’s time to say goodbye.
Clues
What I Know
What I Can Infer
Cornfield, cow pasture, flock of sheep, barn, henhouse, farmer
All these things can be found in a farm.
The tour is taking place on a farm.

9. A Special Tour
Welcome! The tour is about to begin. First stop is the cornfield. It must be time to pick the corn crop. The cow pasture is near the cornfield. The cows eat grass and drink water. This helps them produce milk. A flock of sheep grazes in their pasture. The sheep have coats of soft wool. At the barn, the pigs are squealing at a dog that’s bothering them. The henhouse is the last stop on the tour. The farmer is collecting the eggs. It’s time to say goodbye.
Clues
What I Know
What I Can Infer
Cornfield, cow pasture, flock of sheep, barn, henhouse, farmer
All these things can be found in a farm.
The tour is taking place on a farm.

10. What do you know about surprise birthday parties?
In the following slide, Mandi’s parents are planning a surprise birthday party for her. What clues does the author give that makes you realize they are having a surprise party? Refer to your worksheets.

11. They hadn't forgotten after all.#1
Mandi thought everyone had forgotten her birthday. This morning at the breakfast table, no one had even wished her a "Happy Birthday!" No one mentioned it all day long--not even her mother, and Mom never forgot anything.
She had noticed her sisters whispering at lunch. She thought that was kind of rude! Her mom sent her to the store for a loaf of bread in the middle of the afternoon. Mandi didn't know why she had to go. Why couldn't her sister Sarah go? Sarah was older. And since when was bread such an emergency?
She grumbled to herself all the way to the store and back. It was bad enough everyone had forgotten her birthday, she also had to run everyone's errands! As she dragged herself into the kitchen, she was startled to hear, "SURPRISE!"
They hadn't forgotten after all.
What were the clues?
Mom never forgot anything!
She had noticed her sisters whispering at lunch.
Mom sent her to the store for a loaf of bread.
She was startled to hear, "SURPRISE!"

12. What I Know About the Clues
Were you able to INFER that Mandi's family had planned a surprise party?
What were the clues? .
Clues
What I Know About the Clues
What I Can Infer
Highlight the clues in the story.

13. They hadn't forgotten after all.#1
Mandi thought everyone had forgotten her birthday. This morning at the breakfast table, no one had even wished her a "Happy Birthday!" No one mentioned it all day long--not even her mother, and Mom never forgot anything.
She had noticed her sisters whispering at lunch. She thought that was kind of rude! Her mom sent her to the store for a loaf of bread in the middle of the afternoon. Mandi didn't know why she had to go. Why couldn't her sister Sarah go? Sarah was older. And since when was bread such an emergency?
She grumbled to herself all the way to the store and back. It was bad enough everyone had forgotten her birthday, she also had to run everyone's errands! As she dragged herself into the kitchen, she was startled to hear, "SURPRISE!"
They hadn't forgotten after all.
What were the clues?
Mom never forgot anything!
She had noticed her sisters whispering at lunch.
Mom sent her to the store for a loaf of bread.
She was startled to hear, "SURPRISE!"

14. What I Know About the Clues
Were you able to INFER that Mandi's family had planned a surprise party?
What were the clues? .
Clues
What I Know About the Clues
What I Can Infer
Highlight the clues in the story.

15. #2 Mr. Craig was at the park with his family
#2 Mr. Craig was at the park with his family. He was the family cook and stood at the grill cooking the hot dogs while everyone else swam in the pool. The little boy had been standing by the tree for a few minutes before Mr. Craig really noticed him. "Do you need any help?" the boy asked. “No, I think I've got it under control!" Mr. Craig chuckled. Then he noticed the boy's dirty t-shirt and ragged pants. "I might need some help eating all of these hot dogs though," Mr. Craig said. "I think I may have cooked too many. Would you like one?" "Okay," the boy said. "I wouldn't want you to have too many."

16. 1. Why had the boy asked to help Mr. Craig
1. Why had the boy asked to help Mr. Craig? (Highlight the words that make you guess that answer)
He was a helpful boy.
He didn't have anything to do.
He was hungry.
2. Why had Mr. Craig said he cooked too many?
He wanted to get rid of the hot dogs.
He thought the boy looked hungry.
He doesn't like hot dogs.
3. What kind of person was Mr. Craig?
Mean
Kind
Hungry
4. What prior knowledge do you have that gives you the answers to 2 and 3?