Thoughtful Education Inference Rockfield Elementary.

Thoughtful Education InferenceRockfield Elementary

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Goal One-Part 1• The goal for this

session is to understand how we currently use inference in our classrooms and prepare to learn the Thoughtful Classroom approach to inference.


In this session you will. . .• Learn why inference

strategies are highly effective and examine the goals of inference.

• Explore the principles that help ensure effective inference making.

• Study a model lesson that uses an inference strategy to help students master content and build their inferential reasoning skills.


Driving Inference• Taking in a set of data (SUV

behind me moving erratically).• Making an assumption or

hypothesis based on that data (The SUV is going to hit me if I stay in this lane).

• Testing your hypothesis (Let’s see what happens if I move to the right lane).

• Examining the results to confirm or refute your hypothesis (The SUV didn’t hit me, so it looks like I made the right choice).


Inference Sampler• How do students need to

think in order to do well in these situations?

• What do these examples have in common?

• What are some situations in which your students need to think inferentially in your classroom?


What Can Inference Strategies Do For You and Your Students?• Goal #1: Identifying

Essential Information• Goal #2: Developing

and Testing Hypotheses.

• Goal #3: Finding and Evaluating Evidence

• Goal #4: Developing Powerful Explanations and Interpretations


4 Research-Based Strategies to Develop Students’ Inferential Skills• Inductive Learning• Mystery• Investigation• Inquiry


Inductive Learning• Students draw

inferences by grouping data and labeling the groups with descriptive titles. Students generate hypotheses based on their groupings and then collect evidence to support or refute these hypotheses.


Mystery• Students are presented with a

puzzling question and a set of clues containing data that can help them develop a logical answer to the question. After examining the clues, students generate hypotheses and then use the clues to evaluate the soundness of their hypotheses. Students revise their hypotheses as necessary before developing a final answer to the question.


Investigation• Students are presented with

a question, statement, or open-ended math problem. Students generate tentative hypotheses or solutions. They then conduct research or experiment with a variety of problem-solving approaches. Students build a case that tells why their explanation or solution is the best or most valid one.


Inquiry• Students are presented

with a puzzling scenario or event. Students ask “yes” or “no” questions about the event and then use the information that they collect to make inferences and draw conclusions.


Mystery Lesson-Jamestown• Read Clea’s “Mystery of Olde

Virginia’s Vanishing Population.”

• What specific skills were evident in this student sample?

• Why do you think some students encounter difficulties or develop bad habits that lead them to frequently flounder when asked to think inferentially?


5 Principles and 5 Phases of TE Inference Lesson1. Curiosity is a

Drive2. Thought

Takes Shape3. Be

Reasonable4. Let Them Be

Reasonable5. Look Back to

Move Forward

1. Identify

2. Note Patterns or Relationships

3. Find Evidence

4. Explain5. Reflect


A Sample Inductive Learning Lesson• Phase I-Identify the

Problem, Strategy, and Information Sources

• Phase II-Note Patterns and Relationships

• Phase III-Find Evidence• Phase IV-Explain Your

Reasoning and Evidence• Phase V-Reflect


Thoughtwork• How did Jason’s lesson work to

support his students’ abilities to think inferentially?

• Looking over the lesson, how might you adapt or refine it to make it stronger?

• Inductive Learning is one of four new strategies that support and develop students’ skills in inference. Where might you use Inductive Learining in your own classroom?


Planning a Lesson• Learn 3 more inference

strategies• Learn from sample

lessons designed by other teachers.

• Plan a complete inference lesson using the content you have brought with you.


Jigsaw• Patti/Lori-Mystery• Dee Anna-Inquiry• Jennifer-Investigation


Planning an Inference Lesson• Look at your blue

“Planning a Lesson” Portfolio sheet.

• Read over steps 1-5• Scan each of the

sample lessons-Inductive, Mystery, Investigation, and Inquiry.


Planning Form• Sample Planning

Form Elementary Language Arts

• Blank Planning Form-p. 45


Work Session• Using the content

you brought, plan an Inference Lesson.


Share Lesson• Make copies for

everyone • Review• Reflect

Thoughtful Education Inference Rockfield Elementary.

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