Grandpa finds that his chocolate cake is all gone. Juan has crumbs around his mouth. Choose the correct inference.

To make an inference, use what you already know and clues from what the author told you.

What is a prediction?

As soon as the dog entered the room, Anna's eyes watered and she began to sneeze. She didn't stop sneezing until the dog went outside. Which is most likely true?

Ms. Jimenez finished her breakfast and said good bye to her family. She grabbed her briefcase and headed out the door. What most likely is going to happen next?

We turned out the lights, and all the party guests hid behind the furniture. The birthday boy walked through the door, and a few of us giggled. We tried to hide our presence until the signal was given. What probably happened next?

Isabel's soccer team cheered. The coach gave them a trophy. What do you think happened?

A prediction is...

An inference is...

What can you use to help you make a prediction or inference?

What are "clues"?

What is "personal knowledge"?

Make a prediction:

Tim had five candy bars for breakfast, three bags of chips for lunch, and two big pieces of cake for dessert.

Make a prediction:

Amanda's bus picks her up at 7:00 but Amanda didn't wake up until 6:45. She still needs to get dressed and eat breakfast. What do you predict will happen next?

Make an inference:

Joe was very tired when he got home from school. He decided to take a nap. When he woke up the sun was shining. He could hear roosters crowing and smelled bacon cooking in the kitchen. He walked slowly into the kitchen and asked his mother, "What time is it?"

Make an inference:

When Josh got home, his mom asked him how his math test went. Josh's eyes widened and a big smile formed as he started to talk to his mom.

Make an inference:

Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera.

What is the formula for an inference?

Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were papermakers, but they had been interested in flying for many years. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea. He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.Soon afterwards, the brothers conducted an experiment. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling. After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air. Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.

What evidence in the passage could lead you to infer that the Montgolfier brothers discovered how to make a hot air balloon?

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook was an eighteenth century British explorer and navigator. He embodied the Age of Exploration, a period during which the Europeans traversed and mapped the globe. Cook discovered many unknown lands and regions during his career. He is still highly regarded today because he helped redraw the maps of the known world.

Cook was born in 1728 in a small village. His father was a farm worker of modest means. In his late teens, Cook moved to the coast and became an apprentice on a merchant ship. He studied navigation and mathematics, and he became a good sailor. Cook joined the Royal Navy in 1755. He served in North America and took part in the Seven Years' War.

In 1768, Cook sailed to the Pacific Ocean on a mission to chart Venus as it crossed paths with the Sun. His travels took him to New Zealand and then to the eastern shores of Australia where no European had ever been. Cook charted the shores and claimed the land for Britain. In 1772, he led a second voyage south in search of the southern continent. He came close to the Antarctic but never reached the coast.

Cook's third and final voyage in 1776 was to discover the Northwest Passage—the fabled route that connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On the trip, Cook visited Hawaii and the northwest coast of North America. He reached the Bering Strait but was unable to pass. He returned to Hawaii where he died in 1779.

Which of the following can the reader infer from the passage above?

Read the following statement.

Algae is healthy.

Which sentence from the passage best supports this inference?

Algae

Algae is one of the oldest living organisms on earth. Algae do not flower, nor do they have stems, roots, or leaves. Algae is part of a large group of nonflowering plants that includes seaweed as well as other single-celled forms. Algae is beneficial to us in many ways.

For one, algae contains beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a vitamin that has been shown to help fight certain types of cancer and heart conditions. Additionally, algae is an excellent source of protein. Protein is what makes people's muscles strong, and helps to grow hair, skin, and nails. Algae has also been known to help treat diabetes, allergies, and liver diseases because it helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Aside from improving people's health, algae can also be used to clean and supplement decreasing natural resources such as water and fuel. Because algae store energy in the form of oils and carbohydrates, they can be converted to biofuel to run cars and other machinery that typically depend on gas and oil. Algae can also be used to purify wastewater, so the water can be used again for drinking, watering crops, and taking care of many other agricultural needs. Algae is truly an extraordinary resource!

Keller looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Keller's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Shaggy, his dog, put his head on Keller's lap, like he understood how Keller was feeling. "It's okay Shag," he said, "Dad says we will like California." What can the reader infer is happening?

Mrs. Kersten is munching on her lunch. She walks many laps trying to get some steps on her FitBit. There is a lot of noise as she walks by the table. She stops to chat with some kids.

When Gavin came back into the kitchen, Katie and Dad were still cleaning up from lunch. "Dad," said Gavin, "do you know where I can find the....." He trailed off, realizing that he couldn't mention wrapping paper. He would give the birthday surprise away, and Gavin would hate to ruin the surprise.

What will Gavin most likely do next?

When you read between the lines you

Being able to make inferences will make you able to provide answers to questions that are not directly stated in the text.

"Text Evidence" is

"Background Knowledge" is...

Abby looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Abby's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Thor, her dog, put his head on Abby's lap, like he understood how Abby was feeling. "It's okay Thor," she said, "Dad says we will like Florida." What is happening?

Makenzie was getting ready to walk to school. She put on her coat and grabbed her backpack. As she was leaving, her mother said, “I love you. Be careful.”

You can infer that...

The creature barked and wagged its tail eagerly.

What is an inference?