Mini-Lesson

Making Inferences

Grades 2-3

Students will practice a reading comprehension strategy.

1. Introduce the mini lesson by explaining to students that sometimes when we read we come across information we don't quite understand. Sometimes, the writer doesn't make things entirely clear. We have to make an inference, or a guess, about what the writer means. An inference isn't a wild guess. It's based on what we've read in the rest of the article and on our own prior knowledge. Point to the timeforkids.com news article Field of Dreams as an example. Read the article out loud or have students read independently.

2. Tell students to take a look at the quote from centerfielder B.J. Upton in paragraph 2. It says, "I used to tell people I played for the Devil Rays and they'd ask, 'Who are the Devil Rays?' Now, I think they'll know who we are."

Say: When I read this quote I wasn't sure what B.J. Upton meant. His quote doesn't give a specific reason why people will know about the team now. But based on what I read in the article I can make an inference about what he means. I think he means that people didn't know much about the Rays before because they weren't a winning team, but now that the Rays are the American League champs people will probably hear more about them.

3. End the lesson with one more example. Have students take a look at paragraph 4. It says, "The Phillies have had a week to rest - or to get rusty, depending on whom you ask." Ask: What does this mean? What inference can you make based on what you've read in the rest of the article and on your own prior knowledge? Possible answers include the Phillies will be out of practice and won't do well when they play against the Rays and Phillies fans might have different ideas than Ray's fans.