Standards:
CCCS 2. Reading for all purposes
Inferences
Playing the Educated Guessing
Game
1 min.
Objectives (Copy)
Students will be able to use sight or text clues
and their previous/background knowledge to
make inferences.
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Monday, Bellwork: 5 min. .Choose one activity below:
1) Choose three traits from our Character Chart that you could
categorize as being common characteristics of most men and write
a detailed response explaining and justifying why.
2) Choose three traits from our Character Chart that you could
categorize as being common characteristics of most women and
write a detailed response explaining and justifying why.
Example of detailed justification:
Dogs (for example):
Dogs are loyal, vigilant, and altruistic. They are so loyal and
dedicated to their owners, they would never leave their owner’s side if
given the choice. They are vigilant and very watchful and protective over
their masters. A dog wouldn’t think twice about confronting a hungry
mountain lion or bear who is eyeballing his master for a meal. In this way,
dogs, without a doubt, are altruistic creatures by nature. This is probably
why it is said of dogs that they are “man’s best friend.”
What is an Inference?
An inference is an assumption (guess) that
you make about something that you see, read,
or experience.
 It is based on all of the information that you have available
at that time.
 It is not necessarily a correct guess, but it is an educated
one.
Hmm…where have we practiced this skill of making guesses before?
That’s right! When we were making predictions. Predicting is one way of making
inferences!
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Everyday Inferences
Here are some inferences that you
probably make on a daily basis.
If your Madre has purchased
cow stomach at the grocery
store and is preparing it in the
kitchen…
If you see a group of men
on rugs on their knees,
facing the East, with their
heads to the ground…
praying…
You infer that she is probably
making menudo!
You would probably
infer that they are
Muslim.
You may not always be correct in your inferences, but they
are assumptions that you make based on the given clues.
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Inferences: Take a Guess
Other words for ‘infer’
conclude
suggest
hint
presume
figure out
deduce
suppose
hypothesize
speculate surmise
assume
suspect
reckon
reason
interpret
imply
suppose
insinuate guess
imagine
“read between the lines”
The number of words in the English language used for making inferences indicates
(shows) how common and normal it is to run into “indirectly stated information,”
which means you’ll need to “read between the lines.”
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USE YOUR NEW WORDS TO MAKE
INFERENCES ABOUT THE
FOLLOWING IMAGES.
Inferences: Take a Guess?
1. What is this
woman doing?
2. Where do you
think this woman
is?
3. Is she there for
work or pleasure?
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Inferences: Take a Guess?
Lets look a little bit closer and evaluate your guesses.
Where do you think
this woman is?
Is she there for work
or pleasure?
Based on the her
clothing and the
presence of a fax
machine, WE
(use word) she is
probably there for
___________.
Based on the
furniture and
decorations, she
is probably in a
hotel room.
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What is she doing?
She is on the
telephone.
Inferences: Take Another Guess?
Partners
1. Where
are they?
2. What are the
two women
on the left
doing?
3. What is
going on
with the
woman on
the right?
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Inferences: Take a Guess?
Lets look a little bit closer and evaluate your assumptions.
WE (use word) that the
women on the left are
___________ about the
woman on the right, by
her facial expression.
One woman is
whispering in the
other’s ear.
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WE (use word) that
Where are they?
they are either at
someone’s house
or at a café or
small restaurant.
Standards:
CCCS 2. Reading for all purposes
Inferences
Playing the Educated Guessing
Game
3 min.
Objectives (Copy)
Students will be able to use sight or text clues
as well as previous/background knowledge in
order to make inferences.
{Click mouse to continue}
Inferences: Take a Guess
The Game of Clue
 The game of Clue (Cluedo) is an inference game.
 You are never told who killed Mr. Body, but you may be
told who did not kill him.
 You gather clues so you can infer who really killed Mr.
Body.
 All mystery shows are based on inference:






El Equipo
The Bridge
CSI: Miami (starring Adam Rodriguez)
Psych
Iraqi or Nepali crime/police/detective show or novels?
Hold it! Let’s take a look at some mystery novels
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ASIAN-AMERICAN SLEUTHS
Henry Chang
Sleuth: Jack Yu. 1st in series: Chinatown beat
Naomi Hirahara
Sleuth: Mas Arai. 1st in series: Summer of the big bachi
Sujata Massey
Sleuth: Rei Shimura. 1st in series: The salaryman’s wife
S. J. Rozan
Sleuth: Lydia Chin. 1st in series: China trade
HISPANIC-AMERICAN SLEUTHS
Wayne Arthurson Sleuth: Leo Desroches. 1st in series: Fall from grace
Norman Green
Sleuth: Alessandra “Al” Martillo. 1st in series: The last gig
Misa Ramirez
Sleuth: Lola Cruz. 1st in series: Living the vida Lola
A. E. Roman
Sleuth: Chico Santana. 1st in series: Chinatown angel
NATIVE-AMERICAN SLEUTHS
Peter Bowen
Sleuth: Gabriel Du Pre. 1st in series: Coyote wind
Margaret Coel
Sleuth: Vicky Holden. 1st in series: The eagle catcher
Jean Hager
Sleuth: Mitch Bushyhead. 1st in series: The grandfather medicine
Tony Hillerman
Sleuth: Jim Chee. 1st in series: People of darkness
Sleuth: Joe Leaphorn. 1st in series: The blessing way
Stan Jones
Sleuth: Nathan Active. 1st in series: White sky, black ice
William Kent Krueger
Sleuth: Cork O’Connor. 1st in series: Iron Lake
Linda Rodriguez Sleuth: Marquitta “Skeet” Bannion. 1st in series: Every last secret
Dana Stabenow
Sleuth: Kate Shugak. 1st in series: A cold day for murder
Aimee & David
Sleuth: Ella Clah. 1st in series: Blackening song
Thurlo
Sleuth: Lee Nez. 1st in series: Second sunrise
C. M. Wendelboe Sleuth: Manny Tanno. 1st in series: Death along the spirit road
Let’s Play Clue!
 Based on the following
clues,
decide:
 Who killed Mr. Body
 Where Mr. Body was killed (room)
 With what weapon Mr. Body was killed
 The suspects are: Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, Miss
Scarlet, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, and Professor Plum
 The rooms are: the kitchen, the ballroom, the library, the
study, the conservatory, and the game room
 The weapons are: the candlestick, the knife, the revolver,
the rope, the wrench, and the lead pipe
The Rules
 You have each been given one card.
 Whatever is on your card was not involved in
killing Mr. Body.
 You each will be able to ask one classmate to
reveal his or her card to the entire class.
 You may make a guess at any time, BUT…
 Once you guess, you cannot guess again.
 Your guess must include all three: the murderer,
the weapon, and the room.
Mrs. P
Miss S
Col. Mustard
Mr. G
Mrs. W
Prof Plum
Standards:
CCCS 2. Reading for all purposes
Inferences
REVIEW Objectives:
Students will be able to use sight or
text clues as well as previous
knowledge/background knowledge in
order to make inferences.
Exit Ticket:
What new word did you learn today related to infer?
2.
Infer what might be happening in the
the following image:
3. I have a ball, I’m on a field, and there is
a goal post on each end of the field. What
can you infer I will do next?
How do you know?
1.
DAY 2
Standards:
CCCS 2. Reading for all purposes
Inferences
Playing the Educated Guessing
Game
3 min.
Objectives (Copy)
Students will be able to use sight or text clues
as well as previous/background knowledge in
order to make inferences.
{Click mouse to continue}
Tuesday, Bellwork: Choose one activity below:
Library
Library
When they infer,
readers…
Draw conclusions from text (So, what the author is
saying is…)
Make reasonable predictions as they read (Since….,
then…)
Interpret text or understand themes (That must
mean…)
Analyze characters (Oh, she’s biting her nails, she
must be nervous…)
Figure out unfamiliar words (context clues)
Figure out non-literal interpretations (symbolism,
metaphors…)
Readers who are aware of the
inferences they are making, are
more able to…
Remember and apply what they have read
Create new background knowledge
Critically (deeply) analyze text and authors
Engage in conversation about what they are
reading
Be reflective about what they are reading
Critically (deeply) analyze nonfiction text
Inferences: Word Pictures
As you looked at yesterday’s pictures, you were
able to infer things about the scenarios that they
presented.
When you read a text, think of it as a
WORD PICTURE.
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Inferences: Word Pictures
When reading, there are several types of word
pictures the author will paint for you.
It will be your job to use those pictures to infer things such as:
•The setting
•A Character’s personality or emotions
•What a character’s motives (true reasons/
true desires) might be
•What the writer’s motives (reasons) behind
writing the piece might be (author’s
purpose) Just To Name A Few
Lets look at a few examples!
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Inferences: The Setting
Read the following selection:
The air blowing off of the water is clean and
crisp. As she slowly made her way to her
destination, the damp sand beneath her feet
began to stick to the bottom of her toes.
Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue
and white table cloth spread over the sand.
Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the
light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a
tear ran down her cheek.
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Where is this
woman?
What time of day is
it?
As she
approaches, what
does she see?
Will she be
spending the
evening alone?
Inferences: The Setting
The air blowing off of the water is clean and
crisp. As she slowly made her way to her
destination, the damp sand beneath her feet
began to stick to the bottom of her toes.
Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue
and white table cloth spread over the sand.
Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the
light of the setting sun . She smiled, and a
tear ran down her cheek.
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Where is this
woman?
Based
on of
theday
word
What
time
is
picture it?
painted for
us, she is on the
It is evening.
beach.
As she
approaches, what
Willshe
shesee?
be
does
spending the
That someone
evening
alone?
hascan
prepared
a
We
logically
romantic
assumepicnic
that
for her. has
whomever
made the picnic
will probably join
her.
Inferences: Character Personalities & Emotions
Author’s often use word pictures to give you clues about the
personalities and emotions of the characters. For Instance:
If the character is shown refusing
to be controlled by others such as
their parents, boss, or other
authority figure
If the character storms out of the
room, slamming the door behind
them
If we see them doing things that
show good character in front of
other, but exhibiting negative traits
when alone
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We infer that they
are rebellious.
We infer that they
are angry.
We infer that they
are deceptive.
Inferences: Character Personalities & Emotions
With this in mind,
lets take another look at the excerpt we read earlier.
The air blowing off of the water is clean and
crisp. As she slowly made her way to her
destination, the damp sand beneath her feet
began to stick to the bottom of her toes.
Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue
and white table cloth spread over the sand.
Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the
light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
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HowThough
does the
wewoman
have not
feel
about
been what
introduced
this person
to the
person
has
that
done?
has planned
this, what can we
Based
on her
smiletheir
and
assume
about
tears, wepersonality?
can assume she is
happy and touched by the
gesture.that he is
We can assume
caring, romantic, and
thoughtful. Though this may
or may not prove to be
correct by the end of the
story, that is the word picture
the author is painting for us.
Inferences: Character Motives
Lets add on a few lines to that excerpt…
Charles had been planning this night for weeks.
He had waited for a night with clear skies and a
soft breeze. He had laid out the tablecloth, placed
the glasses and plates just right. For a few
seconds, he wondered if she had found the note that
he had left her, but soon he could see her slowly
walking down the beach. As she approached, he
took a deep breath, kneeled down on one knee, and
pulled a small box from his pocket.
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Why did he leave
her a note?
We can infer that
he left her a note
to tell her to meet
him on the beach.
Why has Charles
made this picnic
for her?
To propose to
her.
Inferences: Writer’s Motives
All people have their own moral and political perspectives.
Sometimes, these perspectives color what an author writes.
This can take place in both fiction and nonfiction pieces.
Read the following excerpt and try to determine what this writer’s
At the close
of the
year 1999,
composting
and
motives
for writing
this might
be.
recycling had stopped 64 million tons of
material from ending up in landfills and
incinerators (U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency) . Though that is a good start, America
has a long way to go. As a country, it is our
responsibility to protect the environment for the
sake of future generations!
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Now that you know how to use what the text does
say to figure out things that it does not,
Lets look at a few excerpts to practice your new skills!
Write your answers down as you go.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Read the following paragraph,
and answer the questions that follow.
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being
late for his appointment. He showered, brushed his
hair, and put on his best suit. He stuck extra ink
pens and pencils into his brief case. He did not
want to leave anything to chance. He knew that if
he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being late for
his appointment. He showered, brushed his hair, and put on
his best suit. He stuck extra ink pens and pencils into his
brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance. He
knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
1. What kind of appointment is Geoffrey getting ready for?
a) He is going job hunting.
b) He is going to a board meeting for his job.
c) He is going to a job interview.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being late for
his appointment. He showered, brushed his hair, and put on
his best suit. He stuck extra ink pens and pencils into his
brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance. He
knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
2. Who is Martha?
a) His mother.
b) His wife.
c) His daughter.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being late for
his appointment. He showered, brushed his hair, and put on
his best suit. He stuck extra ink pens and pencils into his
brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance. He
knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
3. Which of these personality traits best fits Geoffrey?
a) Responsible
b) Optimistic
c) Selfish
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being late for
his appointment. He showered, brushed his hair, and put on
his best suit. He stuck extra ink pens and pencils into his
brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance. He
knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
4. What is Geoffrey’s motive for waking up early ?
a) To be an example for his children.
b) To be on time for his appointment.
c) He does not want Martha to go back to work.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Geoffrey awoke early that morning, for fear of being late for
his appointment. He showered, brushed his hair, and put on
his best suit. He stuck extra ink pens and pencils into his
brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance. He
knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to
leave the children and go back to work.
5. What might he need extra pens and pencils for at his appointment ?
a) To fill out necessary forms.
b) To take notes on the speaker.
c) To hand out as advertisements for his firm.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Now, lets check your inferences.
1. Infer what the writer’s motive is.
a) She is trying to frighten her
audience into appropriate behavior.
b) She is a child activist.
c) Her motive is to inspire her reader.
The author’s motive is shown in statements like these:
“We are powerful beyond measure…We are all meant to shine, as children do.”
Though she uses the word children, the dominant topic is
inspiration and motivation
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
2. With which statement would the author most agree?
a) All men/women are created equal.
b) Life is not fair.
c) The only thing to fear is fear itself.
Looking at the same quote we saw before:
“We are powerful beyond measure…We are all meant to shine, as children do.”
The author’s use of “we” and “all” suggests that she believes everyone is
meant to shine. Evidence of the other beliefs are not in the poem.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
Now, lets go on to the next piece.
1. What kind of appointment is Geoffrey getting ready for?
a) He is going job hunting.
b) He is going to a board meeting for his job.
c) He is going to a job interview.
The writer is suggesting that the appointment will solve this problem:
“He knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to leave
the children and go back to work.”
We can assume that he is not going job hunting because that
does not require an appointment.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
2. Who is Martha?
a) His mother.
b) His wife.
c) His daughter.
“He knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to leave
the children and go back to work. “
The same quote we used for the last question, suggests that Martha is the
mother of his children and not his mother or his child.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
3. Which of these personality traits best fits Geoffrey?
a) Responsible
b) Optimistic
c) Selfish
“Geoffrey awoke early that morning … He stuck extra ink pens and
pencils into his brief case. He did not want to leave anything to chance.”
These words describe a man who is responsible. There are no suggestions
that he is optimistic or selfish in the text.
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
4. What is Geoffrey’s motive for waking up early ?
a) To be an example for his children.
b) To be on time for his appointment.
c) He does not want Martha to go back to work.
Though Geoffrey does not want to be late for his interview, that is not his
ultimate motive. His ultimate motive would be what is causing him to want to
be on time in the first place. This brings us back to this quote:
“He knew that if he did not get a job soon, Martha would have to leave
the children and go back to work.”
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Inferences: Take a Guess Part 2
5. What might he need extra pens and pencils for at his
appointment ?
a) To fill out necessary forms.
b) To take notes on the speaker.
c) To hand out as advertisements for his firm.
Because we have established that Geoffrey is going to a job interview, we
can infer that he needs these utensils to fill out the application or any other
forms that they may give him
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Want to Learn More About
Using What You Do Know to Figure Out
What You Don’t?
Visit us on campus at:
The Learning Center
Room 100
Educational Services Building
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