Scott Foresman Reading Street

SKILLS

STRATEGIES IN CONTEXT

Draw Conclusions Ask Questions

Test

Selection Test:
Unit 3
Benchmark Test: Unit 3

Reteach/
Review

TE: 3.1 79; 3.2 271b, DI•56; 3.3 289, 353b, 363, DI•54; 3.5 243b, DI•55

PB: 3.1 26, 93, 97, 106, 123, 127,
128, 136; 3.2 83,
87, 88

Practice

TE: 3.2 250–251, 3.3 330–331,
3.5 220–221

Introduce/
Teach

Draw Conclusions

	Draw conclusions.
	Ask questions to draw conclusions.

INTRODUCE

Write the following sentences on the board: All the third-grade students at Hilltop School play soccer. Bobbi is a third-grade student at Hilltop School.

Ask students to use the sentences to answer the following question: Does Bobbi play soccer?

Have students read the information on
p. 330. Explain the following:

When we draw a conclusion, we think about facts and details. We also think about what we already know.
Also, we can ask ourselves questions as we read to help us draw conclusions.

Use Skill Transparency 13 to teach how to draw conclusions.

TEACH

STRATEGY Model asking

questions about the selection.

MODEL As I began reading "Life on a Windowsill," I knew there were two potted plants

on a windowsill, and a human entered with a pitcher of water. I stop and ask myself, "Who is the person? Why is he or she carrying water?"

SKILL Model using what you

already know to draw conclusions about the facts in the selection.

MODEL I think about what
I know about plants. The
potted plants in our house

have to be watered regularly, or they will die. The person with the pitcher of water must be the person who takes care of the plants by watering them.

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

STRATEGY The ivy is being watered.

SKILL Possible response:

Ferns need a lot of care, but ivy is easy to grow.

WRITE Have students complete

steps 1 and 2 of the Write to Read activity. You might consider using this as a whole class activity.

then… use Practice Book 3.1, p. 123, to provide additional practice.

If… students are unable to complete Write
to Read on
p. 330,

Draw Conclusions

Available as Skill Transparency 13

Strategy
Ask Questions

Skill
Draw Conclusions

Then ask yourself, “Does my conclusion
make sense?”

You can also use what you already know
to help draw a conclusion.

Draw Conclusions

A conclusion is a decision you reach after
thinking about facts and details you read.

FERN: It’s about time! My leaves are drooping.

Strategy This is a good place to ask
a question: Why is
Ivy saying, “Mmm”? What is happening?

[Two potted plants are sitting on a windowsill.
A human enters with a pitcher of water.]

conclusion about a
character or event

fact or detail

[Light appears on the plants.]

IVY: Keep your flowerpot on! The human always
comes through. Mmm, the water is good!

FERN: My leaves are just not as green as I’d like.
I want the human to raise the window shade.

Good readers ask themselves questions
as they read. Asking questions such as,
“Why is this happening?” and “What kind
of person is this character?” can help you
draw conclusions.

Strategy: Ask Questions

FERN: That sunshine makes me feel healthy and
strong. And your new leaf is cute, cute, cute.

IVY: Please don’t hog all the sunlight. There’s
plenty for both of us. Ahh! That sunshine feels
wonderful. I feel a new leaf opening.

FERN: There we go! Move over Ivy, I’m bending
toward the light.

Skill Fern seems
to complain a lot.
You might draw the conclusion that Fern is
a complainer. Can you draw other conclusions?

IVY: Thanks, I’m always proud of new growth.

1. Read “Life on a Windowsill.”
    Make a graphic organizer.
    Complete it with details and
    a conclusion about the kind     of character Fern is.

2. Write two more questions
    you can ask as you read the
    selection. Then answer them.
    If necessary, draw conclusions     to answer your questions.



	Close
	Access Content Beginning/Intermediate For a Picture It! lesson on drawing conclusions, see the ELL Teaching Guide, pp. 85–86. Advanced Before students read "Life on a Windowsill," have them share what they know about growing houseplants or vegetables at home. Draw Conclusions Point to each sentence on the board as you read it aloud. Model how to identify the facts in the first sentence and include them in a graphic organizer like the one shown on this page: This sentence tells me that every third grader at a certain school plays soccer. I'll write "All third-grade students," "Hilltop Elementary School," and "soccer." Guide students in identifying the facts in the second sentence and in drawing a conclusion. Practice Book 3.1 p. 123 with \| without Answers