WELCOME TO

COMPREHENSION

MAKING INFERENCES
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PICTURE?
What are inferences?
The skill of making inferences is the ability to use
the information you have, along with your
background knowledge and reasoning, to draw
conclusions that go beyond what is explicitly
stated. It's like detective work for reading and
understanding. Sometimes, authors (or pictures in
this case) don't tell us everything directly. We can
use clues to figure out things that aren't explicitly
stated.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to
leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family.
He would miss the pay cheque, but he needed to retire. The employer was
sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more
house as a personal favour. The carpenter said ‘yes’, but in time it was easy to
see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and
used inferior material. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the
carpenter finished his work, his employer handed over the key of the house to
the carpenter— “This is your house, my gift to you.” What a shock! What a
shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have
done it all so differently! Now he had to live in a poorly built house. So it is
with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into
the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we
have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, you
cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer nail, place a
board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, your attitude, and the choices you
make today, help build the “house” you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build
wisely!
 ACTIVITY 1

Create a creative title for the story that

captures the main idea.
ACTIVITY 2
the carpenter decides to retire
carpenter finishes building the house

Discuss:
 What was the carpenter thinking and feeling at this point
in the story?
 What were his options or choices?
 Why do you think he made the decision he did?
 ACTIVITY 3
ROLE PLAY
Split students into pairs.
One acts as the "Carpenter" the other their "Regret."
Carpenter secretly chooses a shortcut (shoddy materials, rushing).
The "Regret" expresses their feelings later in life (frustration,
living in a poor house).

Another pair chooses a positive action,the "Carpenter," this time

focusing on a positive choice (e.g., taking extra time, using high-
quality materials).
Then the partner then acts out the potential feelings of pride or
satisfaction the carpenter might experience.
ax
Exploring "What If" Scenarios
If he knew it was his own house Would he have put in more effort and
used better materials?

If he built a simpler house Could he have maintained quality

standards and completion time?

If he declined the project Would it have been a responsible

choice, and how would the employer
react?
If he expressed his desire to retire Could they have found an alternative
project or retirement gift?

If he took more pride in his work Would it have preserved his skills and
reputation for future opportunities?