PTA Family Reading Night Topic: Cite Evidence and using Inferences Presented by Ms. Evans (Fifth Grade Teacher) Ridgecrest Elementary School

Standard: RL.5.1- Quote accurately from text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Students should be able to demonstrate and express this skills by the end of the school year: “I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.”

When we read, we often are asked to answer questions or express our ideas about the text. In order to let people know we aren’t making stuff up, we should use: Explicit Textual Evidence to support our opinions or answers.

The name really says it all. Explicit = direct Textual = from the text Evidence = support for your answer, opinion, or idea

Because.. For instance.. The author said.. According to… It says on page…

What is an inference? An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have. An inference is NOT directly written in the text. To make an inference, we use evidence from the text, and our prior knowledge. Sometimes we have to “read between the lines.” Authors don’t always tell us everything. We need to use textual evidence and prior knowledge to understand the text better.

Write down an question on paper or index card before reading. Have students work independently to read the three paragraphs and select evidence to support the claim. On an index card, students write ONE-TWO SENTENCE(S) to introduce the evidence to support the claim, using a signal phrase and an in-text citation if needed. When students finish, have them discuss their comprehension from specific text evidence. Complete this strategy throughout the reading process.

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said. What type of job does Paul have? Explain your inference clues.

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said. Answer: Paul works some kind of job that requires him to get dirty: ditch digger, miner, laborer, etc.

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door. What problem is Cassie having? What text evidence clues explain your answers? Where is Cassie going?

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door. Answer: Q1-Cassie is late for school. Answer: Q2-School

Students should refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. Students must be able to cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Most importantly, students should quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text using phrases (according to.., the author states…, on page … and the passage said…).