Making Inferences
Complete unit · Grades 3–5 · 44-page PDF
5 lessons · 8 leveled passages · pre- and post-assessment
Combine a text clue with what readers already know.
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What's inside
- Teacher guide: unit at a glance, measured levels, grouping
- Pre- and post-assessment in parallel forms + class tracker
- Illustrated anchor chart: It says + I know = So
- 5 lesson plans in gradual release (I do, we do, you do)
- 8 original passages at Levels A, B and C, readability printed
- Sort cards, Inference or Not? chart, tricky thoughts, organizer
- 24 task cards + exit tickets for Lessons 1-4
- 3 small-group reteach cards and every answer key
Lessons at a glance
| When | Focus | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Before | Pre-assessment, Form A (about 15 minutes) | 4-5 |
| Lesson 1 | It says + I know = So I can make an inference by joining a clue from the text with something I already know. | 7-13 |
| Lesson 2 | Inference or not? I can tell an inference from a thought that only repeats the text, has no clue, or goes too far. | 14-17 |
| Lesson 3 | Tricky thoughts: clues, not signal words I can judge an inference by its clue, not by words like probably or must, and choose the best inference. | 18-21 |
| Lesson 4 | Inferring a character's feelings I can use what a character does and says to infer feelings the text never names. | 22-25 |
| Lesson 5 | Show what you know: one topic, three levels I can find a clue and make an inference on my own, with a passage at my level. | 26-30 |
| Review | 24 task cards + recording sheet (centers or small groups) | 31-34 |
| After | Post-assessment, Form B; compare on the tracker | 35-36 |
| Any day | Reteach cards for small groups | 37-38 |
Passages and levels
| Passage | Used in | Level | Grade (FK) | Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal and the Storm | Lesson 1 (guided) | Level A | 3.0 | 169 |
| The New Girl at Recess | Lesson 1 (on your own) | Level B | 4.1 | 223 |
| The Busy Beaver | Lesson 2 | Level A | 3.3 | 152 |
| The Praying Mantis | Lesson 3 | Level B | 3.9 | 202 |
| Ben's Diary | Lesson 4 | Level C | 5.3 | 252 |
| Sea Turtles | Lesson 5 | Level A | 2.7 | 179 |
| Sea Turtles | Lesson 5 | Level B | 3.7 | 208 |
| Sea Turtles | Lesson 5 | Level C | 5.3 | 259 |
Standards
Common Core codes and wording as printed in the unit.
- RL.3.1 / RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
- RL.4.1 / RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- RL.5.1 / RI.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Ontario Language (2023): direct matches
- C3.2 (Grade 3, 4, 5). Grade 3 wording: make inferences using stated and implied information and ideas to understand texts