Making Inferences in Informational Texts

Basics on the topic Making Inferences in Informational Texts
Making Inferences in Informational Texts
Transcript Making Inferences in Informational Texts
Making Inferences in Informational Texts. “Look at this!” "It makes you wonder about life back then." "Let's read the information cards on these artifacts and make some inferences." Authors of informational writing do not always state their ideas directly. As readers, we must infer meaning by looking beyond the text's words. Inferences are when we take text evidence, add background knowledge, and make a logical assumption or form an opinion. We use inferences to... Make educated guesses, determine the author’s point of view, figure out details that weren't fully explained... or draw conclusions. To make inferences while reading... First, look at the text evidence and think, "What does the text say?" Then, apply your background knowledge by thinking about what you already know about the topic. Finally, make an inference that will help you understand the information on a deeper level. Let's read about the Antikythera mechanism's time span and draw some inferences. The Antikythera [an-tih-kih-THEER-ə] mechanism was a calculation machine used in Ancient Greece, similar to an analog computer. It is thought to have been invented around sixty C> and used to predict astronomical data. The device was made of bronze and had a number of gears that worked together, much like a mechanical clock. It was a calendar that could track days, months, and eclipse cycles. It also indicated the years in which the Olympic games would be held. This piece of the mechanism was discovered in a shipwreck in 1901. First, let's look at what the text says about the Antikythera mechanism. It was an Ancient Greek machine used to calculate, like an analog computer. It was made of bronze and had gears like a mechanical clock. It was used as a calendar. Now, think about your background knowledge about machines like this. We all have different levels of background knowledge about topics, but here we can say that we know Ancient Greek astronomers were fascinated by space. What inference can we make about the time period based on this information? One inference is that the Ancient Greeks' fascination with space caused them to invent a machine that could track time on Earth. Let's read about another historical invention. The printing press was invented in Europe during the Renaissance period. Prior to its invention, during a period known as the "Dark Ages," all printed material was copied by hand. This was a time-consuming and costly process, so only the wealthy could afford to buy books. Johannes Gutenberg of Germany is credited with inventing the printing press in 1455. The printing press made it possible to print books and other types of texts quickly, cheaply, and in large quantities. What does the text say about the invention of the printing press? Before the printing press was invented, all printed material was created individually by hand. Printing was time-consuming and expensive. Only wealthy people could afford books. The invention of the printing press made printing materials done quickly, cheaply, and in large quantities. What do we already know about this time period? During the Dark Ages, people did not have access to information. What can you infer about how the technology of the printing press changed life during this time period? In the comment section, share your inference based on this information. While Pearl and Otis wrap up their museum visit, let's review. Remember,... Inferences are when we take text evidence, add background knowledge, and make a logical assumption or form an opinion. To make inferences while reading... First, look at the text evidence and think, "What does the text say?" Then apply background knowledge by thinking about what you already know about the topic. Now, make an inference that will help you understand the information on a deeper level. "We've come so far!" "Mmmm,... What do you think about that?"
Making Inferences in Informational Texts exercise
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What is an inference?
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What have you learned about making inferences while reading?
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Can you identify the text evidence?
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What can you infer about how the technology of the printing press changed life during the "Dark Ages?"
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What are the three steps to making inferences while reading informational texts?
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Help Otis and Pearl make an inference.