1. Focus Question: How do inferences help us understand text?
SWBAT infer meaning from text through a close reading of “Of Beetles and Angels.”
Focus Question: How do inferences help us understand text? 71

2. Do Now What can you infer about these clues? Who would’ve owned them?
How would they be used?

3. What is an inference?
An inference is an educated guess based on evidence from the text.
Conclusions, predictions are examples of inferences.
The key word is EDUCATED – the inference MUST be based on evidence!

4. Activity Each group will get a set of statements about someone.
As a group, make an inference as to one character trait about this person.
If you can, guess who the person is.

5. Person 1:
Born near Charlottesville, Virginia.
Wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Served as Minister (Ambassador) to France.
Third President of the United States.

6. Person 2:
Learned nine languages.
Invented the swivel chair, among other inventions.
Designed buildings in his spare time.
Was an expert violin player.

7. Person 3:
Owned a large plantation with hundreds of slaves.
Abused his slaves, especially the women.
Had children with his slaves.
Did not free his slaves upon his death.

8. Person 4:
Loved to throw extravagant parties.
Spent his money on luxury goods from abroad.
Had to borrow huge sums of money to keep up his lavish lifestyle.
Died deeply in debt, leaving nothing but unpaid bills to his children.

9. Person 1
Thomas Jefferson
Person 2
Person 3
Person 4

10. Partner Work Reread pp. 160-162 in CodeX.
Answer question # 8 in your CA notebook.
How will inference help you answer this question?