Learning Intention: Making Inferences in 5th Grade

Lesson Title: “Reading Between the Lines: Making Inferences”

Objective: Students will be able to make inferences while reading by using context clues, prior knowledge, and textual evidence.

Materials: 1. Chart paper or whiteboard 2. Markers or whiteboard markers 3. Short passages or excerpts from age-appropriate texts (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, poetry) 4. Sticky notes or index cards 5. Pencils or pens

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes): a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what an inference is. Allow a few students to share their understanding. b. Explain that making inferences means using clues from the text and our own background knowledge to draw conclusions or make educated guesses about what is happening in the story or text. c. Share the learning intention: “Today, we will learn how to make inferences while reading by using context clues, prior knowledge, and textual evidence.”

2. Whole-Class Discussion (10 minutes): a. Display a short passage or excerpt on the board or chart paper. b. Read the passage aloud and ask students to identify any clues or details that help them make inferences about the characters, setting, or events. c. Write down their responses on the board or chart paper, emphasizing the importance of using evidence from the text. d. Discuss how prior knowledge can also contribute to making inferences.

3. Guided Practice (15 minutes): a. Distribute short passages or excerpts to each student or pair of students. b. Instruct students to read the passage silently and underline or highlight any clues or details that help them make inferences. c. Encourage students to discuss their inferences with a partner and share their reasoning. d. Circulate the classroom to provide support and guidance as needed.

4. Independent Practice (15 minutes): a. Provide each student with a different short passage or excerpt. b. Instruct students to read the passage independently and make inferences based on the clues and details they find. c. Ask students to write down their inferences on sticky notes or index cards, along with the evidence from the text that supports their inferences. d. Collect the sticky notes or index cards to assess students’ understanding.

5. Closure (5 minutes): a. Gather the class back together and review the concept of making inferences. b. Ask a few students to share their inferences and the evidence they used to support them. c. Summarize the lesson by emphasizing the importance of using context clues, prior knowledge, and textual evidence to make inferences while reading. d. Provide positive feedback and reinforce the skill of making inferences as a valuable reading strategy.

Extension Activity (Optional): For an extension activity, students can work in pairs or small groups to create their own short passages or excerpts that require making inferences. They can exchange their passages with another group and challenge them to make accurate inferences based on the provided clues and details. This activity promotes critical thinking and creativity while reinforcing the skill of making inferences.