1. Learning Objective Name___________________________
We will draw1 inferences about text.
1 form
CFU
What are we going to do?
What does draw mean? Draw means___________.
Activate (or provide) Prior Knowledge
“The principal would like to see Roberto in the office…”
CFU
Students, if I were to tell you that the principal wants to see Roberto in the office, why would you think the principal is asking to see
him? (Pair-Share) You have some reasons based on what you already know about being called to the principal’s office. What you already
know is called prior knowledge. Now, we will use textual evidence and prior knowledge to draw inferences.
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2. Concept Development
An inference is something that you think is true based on information EDI Strategy
that you have. To draw an
• An inference is not directly written in the text. inference
we use: +
• To draw an inference, we use textual evidence2, and our
prior knowledge3.
2 clues (synonym) 3 (prior knowledge) what you already know from the past textual evidence + prior knowledge
1. Tim and Bobby were hot and sweaty as they sat outside the principal’s office. 2. Dirt was
smeared4 on both of their faces, and they could hear their teacher’s voice as she told the
principal what happened on the playground. 3. Tim sneered5 at Bobby, and Bobby returned the
angry glare6.
4 wiped (synonym)
5 made an angry face
6 look (synonym) 49 words
What can you infer that Tim and Bobby were doing on the playground?
Textual Evidence Prior Knowledge Inference
• Tim and Bobby sat outside the principal’s • You go to the principal’s Tim and Bobby were fighting.
office. office when you are in
• Dirt was smeared on both of their faces. trouble.
• Tim sneered at Bobby, and Bobby returned
the angry glare.
Not an example of inference: Dirt was smeared on both their faces.
CFU
Which statement below is textual evidence that supports the inference? Which is prior knowledge? Why?
A Tim sneered at Bobby. B You will get sent to the office for fighting.
textual evidence prior knowledge
What is the difference between the example of an inference and the non-example of an inference?
In your own words, what is an inference? An inference is ___________________________.
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3. Skill Development/Guided Practice
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use textual evidence and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify7 the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain8 the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
7 find (synonym)
8 tell
1. Alberto received his report card. 2. His heart was beating fast as he opened it. 3. A huge smile
appeared on his face. 4. All the way home, he was whistling and grinning9. 5. When his mother got home,
he said with excitement, “Mom, I got my report card today!”
9 smiling (synonym) 43 words
What can you infer about the news Alberto has for his mother?
My prior knowledge is:
When I receive good grades on my report card, I’m happy.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
Alberto received good grades on his report card.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CFU
(#1) How did I/you identify the important words in the question?
(#2) How did I/you identify the textual evidence that helped you draw an inference?
(#3) How did I/you explain the prior knowledge that helps you draw an inference?
(#4) How did I/you draw an inference?
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4. Skill Development/Guided Practice (continued)
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use textual evidence and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Jeff drove on the curvy road. 2. As he got higher, he started to see lots of pine trees. 3. There were
even squirrels that would run across the road. 4. The air was clean and smelled good. 5. Finally, he
arrived and got out his fishing pole.
48 words
What can you infer about where Jeff is?
My prior knowledge is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
When there are a lot of pine trees, animals, and clean fresh air I am in the mountains.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Jeff is in the mountains.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CFU
(#1) How did I/you identify the important words in the question?
(#2) How did I/you identify the textual evidence that helped you draw an inference?
(#3) How did I/you explain the prior knowledge that helps you draw an inference?
(#4) How did I/you draw an inference?
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5. Relevance
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
● An inference is not directly written in the text.
● To draw an inference, we use textual evidence and our prior knowledge.
1. Drawing inferences will help you to “read between the lines.” Authors don’t always tell us
everything. We need to use textual evidence and prior knowledge to understand the story
better.
1. Melissa came in through the back door, returning from her championship baseball
game. 2. She walked past Mom with tears in her eyes. 3. Melissa went straight to her room.
35 words
What can we infer about what happened to Melissa?
textual evidence + prior knowledge = Melissa’s team lost the game.
2. Drawing inferences will help you become better writers. Sam hit the first pitch, and the ball
took off. The crowd roared and
cheered.
3. Drawing inferences will help you do well on tests.
CFU
Does anyone else have another reason why it is relevant to draw inferences about text? (Pair-Share) Why is it relevant to draw
inferences about text? You may give me one of my reasons or one of your own. Which reason is the most relevant to you? Why?
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6. An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use textual evidence and our prior knowledge.
Skill Closure
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. The trees were budding and just starting to show some new leaves. 2. The air was warmer.
3. There seemed to be more animals around. 4. People opened their windows and let in the fresh air.
5. Some started their yearly ritual10 of cleaning the house. 6. It was a beautiful day for a picnic.
10 something that you do regularly and in the same way
49 words
What can we infer about the season?
My prior knowledge is:
We had a picnic when the weather was warm. Trees bud from March to May.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
The season is spring.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Constructed Response Closure
From the passage above, why is “The air was warmer.” not an example of an inference? Explain your answer.
Summary Closure
What did you learn today about drawing inferences? (Pair-Share)
Day 1 ____________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 ____________________________________________________________________________________
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7. Independent Practice Name___________________________
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Adam’s heart raced and his throat was dry. 2. Ms. Smith was calling on students to read their
stories. 3. Right now, Tim, who sat in front of Adam, was reading his story. 4. Adam was shaky. 5. He
knew he’d be next. 6. Just as Ms. Smith turned to Adam, the bell rang. 7. Adam smiled with relief.
8. “I don’t have to read my story! 9. At least, not until tomorrow.”
65 words
What can you infer about how Adam feels about reading his story?
My prior knowledge is:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I don’t like reading in front of the class. I get scared.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Adam is nervous about reading his story in front of the class.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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8. Independent Practice (continued)
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. I’ve been waiting for this trip for a year. 2. I set up my tent, roasted1 a marshmallow, and sat with my
family around the warm campfire. 3. The park ranger stopped by our campsite to tell us to pack up all of our
food before we went to sleep because animals often walk through the campsites at night.
4. Around midnight, we decided to extinguish2 the fire and climb into our tents for bed. 5. I had just drifted off to
sleep, when I was startled3 by a growling noise just outside my tent. 6. I wanted to see what it was, but I was too
scared to unzip my tent.
1 cooked over fire
2 put out
3 scared (synonym) 107 words
What can you infer about what is growling outside the tent?
My prior knowledge is:
I’ve been camping, and the ranger told us bears walk around the campground at night. I also know
_________________________________________________________________________________________
bears growl.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
A bear is outside the tent.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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9. Periodic Review 1 Name___________________________
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. It was really warm during the day, but it was getting chilly1 at night. 2. Sometimes the wind would
blow so hard that all the leaves would fall off the tree. 3. The leaves on the ground were brown and the leaves
left on the tree were either bright red or yellow. 4. The neighborhood kids like to gather the leaves into one big
pile while they’re outside.
1 very cold 65 words
What can we infer about the season?
My prior knowledge is:
During the fall, it starts getting cold. Leaves turn brown and fall off the trees. The leaves on the trees
__________________________________________________________________________________________
turn bright colors.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The season is fall.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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10. Periodic Review 1 (continued)
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Gus saw an unusual1 scene when he got back to his house. 2. When he opened the door, the cat
rushed out of the house. 3. There were dirty cat tracks on the carpet. 4. The tracks led to the mantle2 of the
fireplace. 5. Broken pieces of his mom’s favorite vase lay there in front of the fireplace.
1 different from normal
2 shelf above the fireplace
55 words
What can we infer about what or who caused the vase to break?
My prior knowledge is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Animals can sometimes be trouble-makers. I had a kitten who would get into everything. She broke a
__________________________________________________________________________________________
lamp once.
My inference is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The cat broke the vase.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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11. Periodic Review 2 Name___________________________
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Oscar was in line behind a man at a fast food restaurant. 2. The man didn’t speak. 3. He moved his hands trying to
communicate with the cashier. 4. The cashier couldn’t tell what the man wanted to order. 5. A woman came up to help. 6. She told the
cashier, “I know American Sign Language.” 7. She used the same method1 of signaling with her hands. 8. After an exchange with the
man, she then proceeded2 to order the man’s food for him.
1 planned way of doing something
2 continued (synonym)
77 words
What can we infer about the man in front of Oscar?
My prior knowledge is:
I learned some sign language at camp, and I know you use it to “talk” to people who are deaf.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The man is deaf.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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12. Periodic Review 2 (continued)
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Oscar was so impressed1 by this woman, that he went to go talk to her. 2. She told him that she was a
teacher for deaf students. 3. Oscar wanted to know more about American Sign Language. 4. He asked how to
get involved with helping deaf people. 5. Oscar sat there listening attentively2. 6. She talked to him for an hour
about signing. 7. He almost forgot about eating!
1 feeling of respect
2 listening to or watching someone carefully because you are interested
64 words
What can we infer about how Oscar feels about American Sign Language?
My prior knowledge is:
I pay more attention when I like what I’m learning about. It makes me forget about other things.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
Oscar thinks American Sign Language is interesting.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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13. Periodic Review 3 Name___________________________
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. Kevin stepped up to the plate. 2. He struck out1 his last two times up to bat and he didn’t want to
face the humiliation2 again. 3. The crowd cheered and Kevin’s palms began to sweat. 4. The first pitch flew
past him so fast he almost didn’t see it. 5. Then, the second pitch came and he made contact with the ball,
but it flew foul and over the fence behind him. 6. His knees began to shake as he waited for the next pitch.
1 (struck out) missed three pitches
2 strong feelings of embarrassment
81 words
Based on his previous times up to bat, what can you infer about Kevin this time?
My prior knowledge is:
I’ve seen baseball games, and you never know what’s going to happen. I’ve played a lot, and I don’t want
__________________________________________________________________________________________
to strike out after already striking out once or twice, so I try harder. Kevin already has two strikes.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
Kevin is likely to strike out again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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14. Periodic Review 3 (continued)
An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
• An inference is not directly written in the text.
• To draw an inference, we use evidence from the text and our prior knowledge.
Draw inferences about text.
Step #1: Read the question and identify the words that help you make an inference. (circle)
Step #2: Identify the textual evidence that helps you draw the inference. (underline)
Step #3: Explain the prior knowledge you have that helps you draw the inference. (write)
Step #4: Draw an inference.
1. During the winter, the ice on the lake is so thick you can drive a car on it. 2. However, today is
a pleasant1 day near the beginning of spring. 3. There is still a little ice on the lake. 4. Josh and Todd
decided to walk across the ice. 5. As they neared the middle, they heard the ice crack.
1 nice, lovely
57 words
What can you infer about Josh and Todd’s walk on the lake?
My prior knowledge is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
During the springtime the ice and snow melt.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
My inference is:
The ice on the lake is melting and Josh and Todd will fall in.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
DataWORKS Educational Research 5th Grade Reading Comprehension 2.4 (5Q)
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15. EDI – Cognitive, Teaching and English Learner Strategies
Learning Objective : draw inferences about text.
Cognitive Strategies Teaching Strategies
inference – with your hands illustrate text and touch your
Elaboration Demonstration
temple to illustrate background knowledge.
Targeted vocabulary: draw, inferences, evidence, prior knowledge, smeared, sneered, glare, identify, explain, “read between
the lines”, grinning, ritual
Language Strategies
Academic draw, identify, explain
Vocabulary Words Content inference, evidence, prior knowledge
Support smeared, sneered, glare, grinning, ritual, read between the lines
Multiple-Meaning
Synonym evidence – clues (cross-reference the brain) evidence –clues clues –evidence
Vocabulary
Strategy identify- find, smeared, glare, grinning
Definition sneered, explain, ritual
Homophone
Internal Context Clue textual -al means connected with medical approval
Listen, Speak Similar Sounds text has the same ending as next evidence the same spelling as inference
Tracked Reading
Read
Decoding Rules backward syllabication -ence -ference inference
Write Writing Write the inference and background knowledge.
Content Access Strategies
Comprehensible
Cognates
Input
Graphic Organizer
Contextualized smeared (wiped), sneered (made an angry face), glare (look)
Contextual Clues Definitions “read between the lines” – you have to figure out the real meaning
Pictures
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16. Blank Page
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