Clue Cracker SlidesClue Cracker Mastering Character Inferences Subject: Text Evidence Analysis The Inference Formula Text Evidence What the author says Schema What you already know = Inference Your brilliant discovery! Trait vs. Feeling Character Traits Who the character is on the inside. Usually lasts a long time. Brave Selfish Hardworking Character Feelings How the character reacts to a moment. Can change quickly. Excited Nervous Frustrated Case File: The Red Face Confidential "Leo slammed his locker door so hard the sound echoed down the hallway. He clenched his fists, his face turning a deep shade of crimson as he stared at the grade on his math test." The Clues: Slammed locker door Clenched fists Red face Inference: Leo is feeling angry or frustrated. Beware of Guesses! A real detective never makes a claim without proof. If you can't point to a sentence in the story, it's just a guess! Evidence sounds like... "The text says..." Evidence sounds like... "I know this because..."
Character Case Files WorksheetCharacter Case Files Subject: Inferring Traits & Feelings DETECTIVE: DATE: Instructions: Read each case file carefully. Circle the best answer for each question. Then, in the box provided, write down the text evidence that led you to your conclusion. Case File #001 Maya sat on the edge of the diving board, her toes curling around the rough blue sandpaper. Below, the water looked miles away. She took a deep breath, looked back at the ladder, and then gripped the sides of the board. Her knees were shaking so hard she thought she might fall over before she ever jumped. 1. How is Maya feeling? Excited Nervous Angry Confident Text Evidence Portfolio: Case File #002 Even though practice was over, Marcus stayed on the court. He spent another hour shooting free throws, making sure to adjust his elbow every time he missed. When his coach told him it was time to lock up, Marcus asked for five more minutes. He had a goal of making 100 shots in a row, and he wasn't leaving until he reached it. 2. Which trait best describes Marcus? Lazy Determined Funny Grumpy Text Evidence Portfolio: Case File #003 Sam saw the new student sitting alone at the lunch table. Most people were busy talking to their friends, but Sam picked up his tray and walked over. "Hi, I'm Sam," he said with a warm smile. "Do you want to hear about the mystery meat they're serving today? It's a school tradition to guess what's in it!" 3. Which trait best describes Sam? Shy Selfish Friendly Honest Text Evidence Portfolio:
Master Sleuth Teacher GuideMaster Sleuth Teacher Implementation Guide Lesson Focus Inference & Evidence Instructional Objective Students will be able to infer character traits and feelings by combining text evidence (what the character says/does) with their own background knowledge, citing specific textual details to support their conclusions. Execution Plan 1 The Detective Hook Use the Clue Cracker Slides to introduce the "Inference Formula." Emphasize that an inference isn't a guess—it's a discovery based on proof. 2 Trait vs. Feeling Sort Discuss Slide 3. Prompt students: "Is 'happy' a trait or a feeling?" "What about 'brave'?" Explain that feelings are temporary responses to events, while traits are permanent personality features. 3 Guided Case Work Complete the Character Case Files Worksheet. Encourage students to highlight the text evidence before writing it in their portfolio boxes. Evidence-Based Answer Key Case File #001: Maya Answer: Nervous Evidence: "knees were shaking," "water looked miles away," "took a deep breath." Case File #002: Marcus Answer: Determined Evidence: "stayed on the court," "another hour shooting," "asked for five more minutes," "wasn't leaving until he reached it." Case File #003: Sam Answer: Friendly Evidence: "walked over," "warm smile," "Do you want to hear about the mystery meat?" (inviting the new student to join the conversation). Support Provide a "Trait Word Bank" for students who struggle to retrieve vocabulary. Have them highlight clues in different colors. Extension Ask students to rewrite one of the passages to show a different trait or feeling using new evidence.
