Standard: 4.RI.1 – Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Grade level: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Informational Text
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on students’ ability to refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences. This skill is crucial for developing critical reading and analytical skills, which are foundational for advanced literacy and comprehension across subjects. Students should already be comfortable identifying the main idea and key details in a text and have some experience with making simple inferences.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to critically analyze texts, distinguish between fact and opinion, and make more complex inferences supported by textual evidence.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that inferences are just guesses. This is incorrect because inferences must be based on evidence from the text.
Intervention 1
One effective intervention is to have students practice citing specific details and examples from the text to support their inferences, reinforcing the idea that inferences are grounded in textual evidence.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that only explicit details matter. This is incorrect because inferences add deeper understanding and context to the explicit details provided in the text.
Intervention 2
An effective intervention is to use paired texts where students compare explicit details and inferred meanings, helping them see how both contribute to a fuller understanding of the text.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be able to identify the main idea and key details in a text, understand basic text structures, and have experience with making simple inferences from texts.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop the ability to critically analyze texts, distinguish between fact and opinion, and make more complex inferences supported by textual evidence.
Instructional Activities
- Close reading sessions where students identify explicit details and make inferences.
- Group discussions analyzing a text’s explicit and inferred meanings.
- Writing assignments where students support their inferences with textual evidence.
