Conclusions & Generalizations

Review
 How do you draw conclusions?
 Drawing conclusions means making a
decision by putting together clues or
details.
 Draw a Conclusion #1
 Fact 1: Flowers in a flower bed are
uprooted and broken off.
 Fact 2: A dog is running away from the
flower bed with petals stuck in its
collar.
 Fact 3: The owner of the garden is
shouting after the dog.
 Draw a Conclusion #1
 The dog has destroyed the flower garden.
 Draw a Conclusion #2
 Fact 1: A hot water tank is sitting out by
the curb waiting for the garbage
truck.
 Fact 2: Wet carpeting is sitting next to the
tank.
 Fact 3: A box for a new hot water tank is
on the curb, too.
 Draw a Conclusion #2
 The hot water tank has broken and
flooded the floor.
 Draw a Conclusion #3
 Fact 1: The snow is melting.
 Fact 2: Crocuses are blooming.
 Fact 3: Geese are flying north.
 Draw a Conclusion #3
 It is spring.
 What is a generalization?
 A generalization is an inference that can
apply to more than one item or group.
 Make a Generalization #1
 Facts: I am afraid of spiders.
All my friends are afraid of spiders.

 Possible generalization:
All _________ are afraid of spiders.

 Is this reliable, that is, is it always true?

 Make a Generalization #1

All people are afraid of spiders.

Not reliable, or not true. Just because you

and your friends are afraid of spiders
doesn’t mean everyone else is.
 Make a Generalization #2
 Facts: The robin can fly. The sparrow can
fly. The eagle can fly.

 Possible generalization:
All _____ can fly.

 Is this reliable, that is, is it always true?

 Making a Generalization #2

All birds can fly.

Not reliable, or not true. There are some

birds that cannot fly.
 Make a Generalization #3
 Facts: Rabbits need oxygen to survive.
Foxes need oxygen to survive.
Bears need oxygen to survive.

 Possible generalization:
All ______ need oxygen to survive.

 Is this reliable, that is, is it always true?

 Make a Generalization #3

All mammals need oxygen to survive.

Yes, this is reliable, or it is true. Animals

classified as mammals must have oxygen
to live.
 The Man with the Coconuts
an old story from the Philippines
One day a man took his horse to gather some coconuts to sell at
a nearby town. After he loaded the horse with the coconuts, he saw
a boy walking along the road.
He flagged the boy down and asked, “How long will it take us to
walk to town?”
The boy studied the horse laden with the fruit and answered, “If
you walk slowly, you will arrive there very soon, but if you walk fast,
it will take you all day.”
The man snorted in annoyance and hurried his horse along the
road towards the town. However, the coconuts soon fell to the
ground. The man put the coconuts back on the horse and hurried
the horse even faster to make up for the lost time. Again, the
coconuts all fell to the ground. Many times the man hurried the
horse, only to have the coconuts fall off. So, indeed, it was nighttime
when he finally reached the town.
In this story, a reader can tell that the
man with the coconuts does not—
A trust his horse
B like children
C wish to move quickly
D believe the boy’s advice
Which generalization best applies to this
story?
 A Coconuts should never be transported
by horse.
 B It is best to do business at nighttime.
 C Traveling slowly will make a journey
faster.
 D Moving quickly is always best.
 How Indian Summer Came to Be
adapted from the traditional Abenaki Native American tale

Long, long ago, there was a man named Notkikad who worked
extremely hard to provide for his family. He cultivated his gardens
every year to be sure that there would be plenty of food, and he
always gave thanks each harvest to Tabaldak, the Master of Life.
Then one year, there was a late frost, and his crops died from
the cold. Undeterred, he planted again as he previously had, but the
land suffered a drought and his crops died of thirst. He planted a
third time, but it was so late in the season that the autumn cold
destroyed his plants.
Notkikad was very troubled and disturbed. Although his wife and
children had gathered some foods from the forest, it would not be
enough to see them through the winter. One autumn night, he made
a small fire and prayed to Tabaldak for help. Then he went to sleep,
and he dreamed. In his dream, Tabaldak came to him, telling him, “I
give you these special seeds, and a time in which to plant them,
Notkikad.”
 How Indian Summer Came to Be
adapted from the traditional Abenaki Native American tale

When he awoke, Notkikad found the seeds beside him, and

although the autumn leaves were still falling from the trees, the
weather was no longer cold. It seemed as if summer had returned.
Notkikad and his family planted the seeds and within only a few
days, the seeds grew rapidly. Notkikad harvested the crop and dried
the corn, beans, and squash for the winter, and he stored the food
in the wigwam. The next day, the cold winds returned and the
special season was gone.
Although, we do not have Notkikad’s magical seeds, we are still
granted the special season each year, when the cold winds of
autumn temporarily give way to the warmth of what we now call
Indian Summer. It is not only a time of respite from the cold, but also
a time to remember to be thankful.
1. What kind of person is Notkikad?
A Honorable
B Sly
C Hopeless
D Lonely
2. At first, Notkikad plants his crops three times and they
fail. Why does Notkikad eventually go to Tabaldak
instead of trying to plant his crops on his own again?

A He does not want to anger Tabaldak.

B Another drought is expected.
C The weather is too cool.
D He believes he is cursed.
3. Tabaldak probably helps Notkikad
because—
 A Notkikad has a wife and children
 B Notkikad always gave thanks to
Tabaldak
 C Tabaldak helps everyone that ever
prays to him
 D Tabaldak likes to see crops grow
Read this sentence from the story.

In his dream, Tabaldak came to him,

telling him, “I give you these special
seeds, and a time in which to plant them,
Notkikad.”
4. How does Tabaldak give Notkikad a
time to plant the seeds?
 A He turns back time until it is summer
again.
 B He makes the sun grow more powerful.
 C He creates a warm spell in autumn.
 D He stops winter from occurring.
5. Based on this story, a reader might
believe that—
A farmers’ lives are easy
B hard workers are always rewarded
C Indian Summers are imaginary
D people never get what they deserve
The End