Make Inferences About Characters

Inferences and STEAL Lesson

STEAL

Today we are going to be learning how to use STEAL when writing a summary or writing a story and understanding a story.

What is STEAL?

• STEAL means:

  S- Speech

  T- Thoughts

  E- Effect on others

  A- Actions

  L- Looks.

Poll

What do you think the STEAL is going to be about?

• STEAL is going to be about characterization and communication.

• STEAL is going to be about indirect characterization and direct characterization.

STEAL Explanation

• S- Speech- We often get to know characters based on what they say to each other.

• T- Thoughts- When the author lets us get into the mind of a character

• E- Effect on others- Sometimes other characters will tell us something about the character we are reading about.

• A-Actions- Much of what we learn about the character is revealed to us through what they do.

• L- Looks- Can infer a lot about characters from the clothes they wear, their facial features, their body language, and their mannerisms.

Making Inferences

What is an Inference?

• An inference is when you take clues from the text and what you already know to draw a conclusion. 

• -Schema is your background knowledge- what you ALREADY know.

• Text clues + What you know (schema) = Inference! 

Making Inferences

Inferences: they're not guesses. They're conclusions that you draw from the text. What predictions or connections can you make, based on what's in front of you? What is true that they are not saying?

What is an Inference?

• Inferences require you to read between the lines to figure out what the author is trying to tell you.  

• Inferences are NOT directly stated in the text.  You must think deeper to understand what is going on.  

Multiple Choice

What word can be used as a synonym for "Schema"?

• Background Knowledge

• A guess

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

An inference is not directly stated in the text.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

When you infer you...

• Make a random guess

• Find the answer DIRECTLY in the text

• Read between the lines

Multiple Choice

Splat! " Oh, rats!" thought Katie as she stooped to clean up the gooey mess.

"I hope we have another one. " She looked in the fridge and pulled out the carton. "One Left! Breakfast wasn't ruined after all."

What do you infer Katie cleaned up?

• Milk

• Pancakes

• Eggs

• Butter

Multiple Choice

It was 8:30 on Sunday night. Emily stared at the large, empty poster board on her bed. Then she looked at the stack of un-read books about Abraham Lincoln on her desk. Emily began to cry.

Why do you think Emily was crying

• She wanted a different color poster

• She did not want to go to sleep

• It was late and she had a lot of schoolwork to complete before she could end her night

• She wanted a book about George Washington instead

Multiple Choice

"Ouch!" Lucy had fallen again! She shivered and picked herself back up. Then she spotted her older sister Sarah, gliding backwards. She was so graceful. Sarah made everything look so easy.

What do you infer Lucy is doing?

• Swimming

• Horse Back Riding

• Ice Skating

• Dancing

Multiple Choice

How is a prediction different from an inference?

• Prediction is a guess of what already happened.

• Prediction is a guess of what happens next.

• A prediction is the same as an inference.

Multiple Choice

"Justin grabbed the leash and quickly put it around Tooli's neck. He stormed out the door with Tooli coming right behind.

He said, "Hurry up, Tooli. You're always so slow." Justin kept his head down and walked quickly down the road, not speaking to anyone that he saw."

What was true about Justin?

• He was very worried that someone might see him.

• He was angry that he had to walk the dog.

• He was feeling sick and wanted to lie down.

• He was very excited and wanted to hurry.

Multiple Choice

_______ + ________ = Inference

• Background knowledge + Evidence from the text

• Background knowledge + Opinion

• A guess without evidence + information from the text

Multiple Choice

What statement about inferencing is CORRECT?

• An inference is not based on any evidence

• An inference is based only on what the text says

• An inference always turns out to be right

• An inferences requires you to use clues

Multiple Choice

Inference Riddle: You can plant me. You can pick me. You can pop me or make me into bread.

• I am a flower.

• I am gum.

• I am corn.

• I am wheat.

Multiple Choice

"Ouch!" Lucy had fallen again! She shivered and picked herself back up. Then she spotted her older sister Sarah, gliding backwards. She was so graceful. Sarah made everything look so easy.
What was Lucy doing?

• Roller Blading
• Ice Skating
• Swimming
• Riding her bike

Multiple Choice

How might a character act if he felt sad?

• Put his head down and sigh
• Yell and jump up and down
• Smile and wave
• Laugh until his sides hurt

Multiple Choice

Rubin dug frantically through his backpack. It has to be here, he thought. How many times had his mother told him not to take his iPod to school. He searched his locker again without much hope. He knew he was in trouble. What inference can you make about Rubin?

• He is looking for his homework
• He is looking for his iPod
• He often gets in trouble
• He is looking for his lunch

Multiple Choice

I have a head and a tail. My favorite number is one. I am made of copper. I am lucky if you pick me up. What am I?

• four leaf clover
• leaf
• penny
• dime

This is a picture from the book, No David!

Using what you know from your own life experiences, make an inference as to what happened by answering the next question.

Multiple Select

Which of the following would most likely be an accurate inference?

• David just got out of the shower.

• David is about to go shopping.

• David played in the mud and his mom is upset because he tracked the dirt inside.

Poll

• 1-3

• 4-5

• 6-7

• 8-9