Making InferencesUsing clues from the text and your own background knowledge to understand

something not directly stated in the text.

Different ways we use inferences

• Draw conclusions• Use context clues• Make predictions• Analyze characters• Identify solutions to problems• Understand pronouns

How do you make an inference?

1. Ask you self what is being stated or is happening in the text

2. Think about what you already know from your background experience or knowledge

3. Combine the text clues and your knowledge to make an inference

4. Check that the inference makes sense

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

Question

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

The cat is walking in front of the dogs and they aren’t moving or barking

Dogs love to chase cats

These are very well trained dogs, or they would be chasing that cat.

These are German Shepherds, which are often trained as police dogs

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

What happened in this picture?

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

What will happen in this picture?

Stella was anxious about the math test, so she studied for the entire week. When her instructor passed back her test the next day, she could not believe the percentage at the top. When she got home, Stella went straight to her room and hid the test under her bed.

I infer that Stella ___________ because I read ________ and I know___________.

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

What can you infer about Stella?

What I learned from reading

What I already knew

My inference

In this poem, who are the builders?

The BuildersI told them a thousand times if I told them once:Stop fooling around, I said, with straw and sticks;They won’t hold up. You’re taking an awful chance.Brick is the stuff to build with, solid bricks.You want to be impractical, go ahead.But just remember, I told them; wait and see,You’re making a big mistake. Awright, I said,But when the wolf comes, don’t come running to me.

The funny thing is, they didn’t. There they sat,One in his crummy yellow shack, and oneUnder his roof of twigs, and the wolf ateThem, hair and hide. Well, what is done is done.But I’d been willing to help them, all along,If only they’d once admit they were wrong.Sara Henderson

The Gardner by Shel Silverstein

We gave you a chance To water the plants.We didn’t mean that way—Now zip up your pants!

Sybil the Magician’s Latest Show by Shel Silverstein

Magical Sybil was much too cheapTo buy her rabbit a carrot.He grew so thin, just bones and skinSo starved he couldn’t bear it—And so, as she reached into her hatTo grab him by the earsShe felt a tug, she felt a pull,And WHAP—she disappeared.“The greatest act we’ve ever seen,”We cheered for Magical Sybil.But all that remained was a hat and a capeAnd the sound of a bunnyGoin’ “Nibble . . . nibble . . . nibble.”

Silently, secretly,I sail by.Serene and coolin the midnight sky,I’m always changingthat’s my game.Once in 28 days,you’ll see me the same.I sing my songto the restless sea,and the tides run in, as they follow me.

Who am I and how do you know?

I may sit quietfor hundreds of years.People live on my slopes, forgetting their fearsThey think I’m asleepbut I’m on a slow boilbuilding up tensiondeep under the soil.I’ll erupt with a roarthrowing stones far and wide.Lava and ashesWill pour down my side.So give heed to this warning,be careful, my dear.For when I am angryI don’t care whose near.

Who am I and how do you know?