Drawing Conclusions

English Language Arts, Grade 4

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Drawing conclusions helps you to be an active reader and better understand what you read. A conclusion is a reasonable decision you make based on the facts and details presented in a text. When you read this text, picture what is happening. Think about how the character feels and look for a clue as to why he’s doing what he’s doing. Charles wiped the sweat from his brow and scowled. Then he bent down and pulled some more weeds. At least it was easy enough to tell which were weeds and which were flowers. But the more time he spent, the larger the garden seemed to grow. Who had come up with the bright idea of Mother’s Day anyways? When you read this text, your first thought may be that the girl has a cold. But consider the clues: Trisha’s eyes were itchy, and her throat was scratchy. She reached for another tissue from the box and blew her nose. “I hate trees,” she grumbled. There are three steps to drawing a conclusion: 1. Consider what the text actually says. The author gives you clues. 2. Think about what would make sense in the situation. 3. Use your background knowledge (experiences) to make a logical choice about what will happen. Clues from the Text Charles is pulling weeds. He does not like the work. He is thinking about Mother’s Day. What I Know Mother’s Day is when you give gifts to your mom. Conclusion Charles is weeding a flower garden for his mom for Mother’s Day. Clues from the Text itchy eyes scatchy throat blowing runny nose “I hate trees” What I Know Tree pollen can cause allergy symptoms. Conclusion Trisha doesn’t have a cold; she is allergic to tree pollen. Drawing Conclusions Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4047
Do not read this text the whole way through. Read a portion and then draw conclusions to answer the questions. Then read the next paragraph. Polar Bear Central It was not a wise place to build a town. Each fall, polar bears spend about three months living there. Churchill, on the west coast of the Hudson Bay in Canada, is a rest stop on the bears' annual journey to the pack ice. About 1,000 polar bears go there to wait for the Bay to freeze over. About 1,000 people live in the town. The bears and the residents must coexist. 1. Why is Churchill in a bad location? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 2. Which months are the polar bears in town? ____________________________________________________________ Nowhere else on Earth do so many bears gather in such a small area. Hundreds of tourists flock to Churchill. Now the Bay is freezing over later than it used to. Polar bears spend more time with more tourists. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen. 3. Why do tourists flock to Churchill every fall? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 4. What is the tragedy that the author thinks may happen? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ These bears haven’t eaten in months--not since the pack ice melted and left them land- locked. Yet some tourists act like the bears are tame! Some try to take photos too close to a bear. Others walk alone on the beach and almost invite an attack. The last fatal bear attack in Churchill occurred long ago. But in 2013, two people barely survived an attack. 5. Why do the tourists act differently around the polar bears than the Churchill residents do? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Drawing Conclusions Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4047