Title: Making Inferences - What Can We Figure Out?
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Objective: - Students will understand the concept of making inferences. - Students will be able to make inferences based on given information. - Students will practice making inferences in various contexts.
Materials: - Chart paper - Markers - Picture books with simple storylines - Inference worksheets (downloaded or printed)
Procedure:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what an inference is. Allow a few students to share their ideas.
- Explain that making inferences means using clues or information to figure out something that is not directly stated.
- Give examples of everyday situations where we make inferences, such as seeing wet footprints and inferring that it rained or seeing a person wearing a winter coat and inferring that it is cold outside.
- Write the definition of inference on the chart paper and keep it visible throughout the lesson.
- Read Aloud (15 minutes):
- Choose a picture book with a simple storyline that allows for making inferences.
- Read the book aloud to the class, pausing at certain points to ask students what they can infer based on the illustrations or the text.
- Encourage students to explain their reasoning and provide evidence from the story.
- Guided Practice (15 minutes):
- Distribute the inference worksheets to each student.
- Choose a worksheet that provides a short passage or a set of pictures with accompanying questions.
- Read the passage or describe the pictures to the class, and then guide them through the questions, helping them make inferences based on the given information.
- Discuss the answers as a class, allowing students to share their reasoning.
- Independent Practice (15 minutes):
- Provide each student with a different picture book or a short story.
- Instruct students to read the book or story independently and make inferences based on the text and illustrations.
- After reading, have students write down their inferences on a piece of paper or in their notebooks.
- Allow students to share their inferences with a partner or in small groups.
- Closure (5 minutes):
- Gather the class back together and review the concept of making inferences.
- Ask a few students to share the inferences they made during the independent practice activity.
- Emphasize the importance of using evidence and clues to support their inferences.
- Conclude the lesson by reminding students that making inferences helps us understand the deeper meaning of a text or situation.
Extension Activity: - Have students create their own short stories or drawings that require others to make inferences. - Play a game of “Inference Charades” where students act out a scenario without speaking, and their classmates have to make inferences about what is happening.
Assessment: - Observe students’ participation during the guided practice and independent practice activities. - Review students’ written inferences from the independent practice activity. - Use anecdotal notes to assess students’ understanding and ability to make inferences.