Inference Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Students

Topic: Inference in Reading Comprehension

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to define inference and identify examples of inferential reasoning in literature.
• Students will be able to use inferential reasoning to draw conclusions and make predictions in a text.

Materials

• Short passages from literature (short story or poem)
• Handout with examples of inferential reasoning
• Pencils and paper for writing

Warm-up

• Ask students to think of a time when they had to figure out what was happening in a story or situation based on what was stated or shown.
• Write their examples on the board (e.g. figuring out that the monster under the bed is just a pile of clothes based on hearing footsteps and seeing a shadow)
• Discuss how in these situations, we use inference to draw conclusions about what is happening based on what is stated or shown.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of inference, explaining that it is the process of drawing conclusions about what is not stated or shown based on what is stated or shown.
• Discuss some examples of inferences that readers can make when reading stories (e.g. what characters are feeling based on their actions, what will happen next based on the plot, what will happen if a character makes a certain choice).
• Distribute the handouts with examples of inferences and have students work in pairs to identify the inferences being made in each example.
• Discuss the inferences made in each example and how they help us understand the text better.

Guided Practice

• Have students return to the text they were reading earlier and provide them with a list of inferences to make while they are reading.
• Have students work in pairs to read the text and identify the inferences they are able to make.
• Have pairs share their inferences with the class and discuss as a group.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose a different text to read and complete a worksheet on inferences.
• Have students use the worksheet to identify and explain the inferences they are able to make while reading.
• Provide students with additional worksheets to complete on different texts.

Closure

• Review the different types of inferences and how to identify and explain them while reading.
• Encourage students to continue using inferences while reading in order to improve their comprehension.

Assessment:

• Observe students during independent practice to see if they are able to identify and explain inferences while reading.
• Have students complete a short quiz or worksheet to assess their understanding of inferences and their ability to use them while reading.