"Watch how I summarize without listing every sentence. I use SWBST: Somebody: Maya. Wanted: to find her mom at home. But: mom's car wasn't in the driveway and the house was dark. So: Maya unlocked the door and called for her. Then: only silence answered. Notice: I didn't mention her damp backpack or the gravel driveway because those are small details, not plot turning points."
MODELING INFERENCE (Slide 5 - "I Do") Equation Method
"The text never says: 'Maya felt terrified.' So how do I know? I use the formula! Text Clue: 'Her stomach dropped' and thunder is rumbling. Brain Clue (Schema): When my stomach drops and I'm home alone in a storm, I feel anxious and fearful. Inference: Maya is scared and worried about why she is alone."
Targeted Differentiation Scaffolds
Striving Readers
Provide pre-printed sentence starters for SWBST.
Have student highlight clues in yellow before writing.
Allow partner oral rehearsal before committing to paper.
English Learners
Clarify figurative language like "stomach dropped".
Provide bilingual emotion word banks (anxious, determined).
Focus on connecting visual clues to text terms.
Advanced Sleuths
Challenge to find two pieces of subtle evidence.
Infer character traits rather than just temporary feelings.
Prompt: "What will the character do next based on their trait?"
Exemplar Answer Key (Case Files & Quick Check)
Case File #2: The Whispering Treehouse (Guided) Worksheet P1
Retell: Leo wanted to build a lookout fort, but the wind blew his blueprint into briars, so he stopped and stared at the bushes, needing a way to recover it. Inference: Leo feels frustrated, disappointed, or anxious because biting one's lip and staring shows hesitation and worry about getting scratched while retrieving it.
Case File #3: The Midnight Whistle (Independent) Worksheet P2
SWBST Retell: Caleb wanted to sleep before his track meet, but a strange whistling noise kept him awake, so he turned off his lamp and checked his window, discovering a branch rubbing the screen. Inference 1 (Feeling): Caleb was nervous/stressed about the meet ("tossed and turned", "big meet tomorrow"). Inference 2 (Mystery sound): The wind was blowing outside because it was moving the tree branch against the window screen.
Quick Check Exit Slip ("The Cold Bench") Mastery Criteria
Retell (2 pts): Sam waited on the snow-dusted bench, realized the bus was 20 minutes late, and decided to walk to school. Inference (2 pts): Sam is shivering/cold ("teeth chattering", "pulled scarf tighter") and determined/independent ("couldn't wait any longer"). Full credit requires citing at least 1 explicit quote.
Story Sleuths Intervention Protocol • Page 2 of 2 Scoring: 4/4 on Quick Check = Mastery of targeted reteach
Detective Check:
Did I use SWBST? Did I quote exact text clues?
Story Sleuths Dossier • Page 2: Independent Practice Hand dossier to Lead Detective when complete
