Kid Friendly Guide: Inferring and Drawing Conclusion

Inferring means to make an educated guess based on clues or evidence. For example, let's say you come home and see your mom holding an umbrella. You can infer that it's probably raining outside.

Drawing conclusions is similar to inferring, but it means to come to a final decision based on what you have learned. For example, if you read a story about a character who always tells the truth, and then in the story they say they saw a unicorn, you can draw the conclusion that unicorns probably don't exist in the real world.

Here's another example: Let's say you are at a park and you see a lot of people with picnic baskets and blankets. You can infer that they are probably having a picnic. Then, if you see a sign that says "No picnicking allowed," you can draw the conclusion that those people are breaking the park rules.

"Longing for Adventure: A Small Town Boy's Dreams"

The sun was just peeking over the horizon as Jax dragged himself out of bed. He had been up late the night before, reading a book about a young boy's adventure in the wilderness in northern Canada. The book reminded him of his own childhood and his days in the scouts, he spent many weekends exploring the woods, lakes, and streams around his state.

Jax's parents had other plans for him, though. They wanted him to become a Doctor, like his father and grandfather before him. Jax didn't mind the idea of being a Doctor, but he longed for something more exciting, something that would let him explore the world and have adventures like the boy in his book.

As Jax trudged out to the barn to begin his chores, he couldn't help but daydream about all the places he might go and things he might see. He imagined himself traveling to exotic lands, fighting off pirates, and discovering ancient treasures.

But for now, he had cows to milk and fields to tend. Maybe someday, he would have the chance to live out his dreams.

He could hear the distant sound of a train and he wondered where it was going. Maybe it was headed to the big city, where he had always dreamed of living. He closed his eyes and imagined himself in a sleek apartment overlooking the bustling streets below. He could almost smell the coffee from the nearby cafes and hear the sound of jazz music in the air.

But his daydream was interrupted by the sound of his father's voice calling him back to reality. "We need to head back home now," his father said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother will be worried if we're gone too long."

The boy sighed and slowly got up from the ground. As he walked back to the truck, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the life he had imagined. But he knew that for now, he was stuck in this small town with its limited opportunities and endless boredom.

Example: 
What can you infer about Jax's feelings towards his current life based on the text?

Answer: Based on the text, we can infer that Jax feels bored and unfulfilled with his current life in the small town. He daydreams about adventure and longs for more exciting opportunities, such as traveling to exotic lands, fighting off pirates, and discovering ancient treasures.

Inferencing Questions:

• What does the distant sound of the train represent to the boy?
• What does the boy's daydream reveal about his desires and aspirations?
• How does the boy feel about his current situation in the small town?

Drawing Conclusion Questions:

• What might the boy do to achieve his dream of living in the big city?
• Do you think the boy's father is supportive of his dreams and aspirations? Why or why not?
• What message about dreams and reality do you think the author is trying to convey in this story?