Overview
Throughout this lesson, students will be focusing on Drawing Inferences, which is one of the 7 Keys to Comprehension. First, students will be introduced to the strategy, and how it can be used to extend their understanding of different types of texts. The teacher will first model how the strategy can be used. During a shared reading the teacher will gradually turn over some of the responsibility to the students. Finally, the students are given the chance to practice independently using the interactive activity provided.
Content Objectives
- Restate the “Drawing Inferences” strategy while using it in class.
- Implement the strategy before, during, and after reading.
- Use an online activity
Blue Ribbon Readers: The Detective's Notebook Game Interactive
to practice Drawing Inferences. - Recall various definitions of the strategy and use them to better understand text.
- Discuss the thinking behind inferences.
- Validate inferences and/or predictions.
Grade Level: K-5
Multimedia Resources
Blue Ribbon Readers: The Detective's Notebook Game Interactive
Materials
Procedures
Before the Lesson:
- Choose the book you are going to use.
- Take an excerpt to use for your shared reading and put it in a Word document so all students can see the text projected. It could also be made into an overhead.
- Create hyperlinks to the text showing your inferences.
The Lesson:
- Introduction/Motivator - Introduce the new book you will be reading to the students. Discuss the cover, pictures, chapter titles, etc. Then ask the students what they think this book will be about? After they give an answer ask them to validate their response by telling you why they made that prediction. Then introduce Drawing Inferences to the students.
- Talk to students about what it means to Draw an Inference or make a prediction. Remind students that inferences should be made before, during, and after reading. Also indicate that all of their predictions need to be validated.
- Read Aloud- Ask the students to use this strategy while they are listening to the Read Aloud.
- Read to students from the book chosen.
- When finished, talk about some of the inferences you made while reading and give your students some time to share their ideas. Be sure to model the appropriate language. Students should use the format “I infer that ______. The reasoning behind my inference is ______.”
- Shared Reading- Have students go back to their seats while you turn on the Polyvision Board. Open the Word document containing the excerpt from the chosen book (usually 3 or 4 paragraphs at the end of chapter or book), so that all students can see the text.
- Begin reading through the text stopping here and there to refer to your hyperlinked inferences. You are modeling how to use the strategy for the students.
- As you near the middle of the text, start letting the students share some of their inferences using the correct language.
- Toward the end of the text have the students Think/Pair/Share with someone who is sitting beside them, so that they can share their ideas. Give students time to share their inferences. You could also have the students draw a picture of their prediction to share with the class.
- Review skills and strategies taught, and ask the students how making inferences can improve their understanding of a book.
- Practice- Demonstrate how to use the online activity
Blue Ribbon Readers: The Detective's Notebook Game Interactive
. - Have students get out their laptops (or use computer centers) and use the interactive activity “7 Keys - Drawing Inferences” to practice drawing inferences.
- Students are to have their journals with them, so that they can note strengths and weaknesses they encountered while using this strategy.
- By looking at student work on the computer and in their journals, teachers can check for understanding.
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