Generalizations

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Generalizations
By Mrs. Ludlam

• A generalization is a kind of
• conclusion.

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A generalization is a sentence that the reader or
writer can say about many examples.

• Example
• All animals that have feathers are birds.
• All animals that have fur are mammals.

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Clue Words indicate a generalization.
NEVER
ALL
NONE
MOST
SOMETIMES
SELDOM
OVERALL
IN GENERAL
EVERYONE
ALWAYS
USUALLY
FEW
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When reading

• Thoughtful readers determine and evaluate the
  generalization with facts or statements from the
  text.
• Readers form opinions and make judgments about
  the authors written words.

• For example
• The climate in Mexico is warmer than the climate
  in the northern United States.

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When reading notice the examples and facts.

• I know Mexico is closer to the equator than the
  northern United States. That is a fact.

• The reader should self question. How can the
  writer say Mexico has warmer climate?

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LetsPractice

• Generalization
• Overall the Northwest natives survived because
  they had many useful resources.

The Northwest natives lived by the Pacific
Ocean. Large trees were used to make dug- out or
canoes. The tribes fished and traded their goods
to inland tribes. The rivers provided fresh
water and a way to move from one area to another.
Wildlife such as bear, whale, deer, elk, and
beaver were plentiful.
Does the author give enough facts to make the
generalization above?
? resources
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Practice
Not enough information

• Generalization
• In the Southwest, most the natives had limited
  natural resources.

Faulty

• Pueblo Indians built homes in the cliff side.
  Many rooms were built to make the family
  comfortable.

Does the author support this statement? Is this
generalization valid or true?.
? resources
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Analyze the authors writing

• As a reader look for examples and facts to
  support an opinion and generalization.
• Girls cant play ball.
• Most of the class does not have enough AR points.
• Teachers are mean.

Facts?
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Generalizations

• A kind of conclusion
• Must be supported by facts or examples
• Help us comprehend an authors writing
• Look for key words, most, overall, generally,
  all, none, every, etc.

• Halloween is always scary.

NOT
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Generalizations

• Girls cant play ball. Valid Faulty
• Teachers are mean. Valid Faulty
• Some classes do not Valid Faulty
• have enough AR points.
• Halloween is always
• scary! Valid
  Faulty

Faulty
Faulty
Valid
Faulty
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Dolphins
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• The newest members of the U.S. military forces
  arent soldiers. They arent even human. Theyre
  dolphins! Specially trained Atlantic bottle-nosed
  dolphins have arrived in the Persian Gulf to help
  check for mines, or underwater explosives, along
  Iraqs coastline. Once theyre finished, ships
  will be able to safely transport food and
  medicine to the Iraqi people.

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Makai and Tacoma Ready For Action

• The dolphins, named Makai and Tacoma, were flown
  into the Iraqi port city of Umm Qasr by U.S. Navy
  helicopters Tuesday night. They were expected to
  begin searching for mines along with military
  divers on Wednesday, according to several news
  reports.

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Generalization

• All dolphins are trained to work with the
  military.
• The military use some dolphins to help locate
  underwater mines.

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Work

• The dolphins, which came from San Diego,
  California, are are trained to place markers near
  the mines they find. They are taught to avoid
  touching or swimming to the mines, which might
  cause them to explode, said Navy Captain Mike
  Tillotson. While Tillotson said there was little
  risk to animals doing this kind of work, some
  animal activists are speaking out against the
  plan. They worry the dolphins could get hurt.

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Underwater Helpers

• A unit of 70 dolphins and 20 sea lions has been
  trained by the U.S. Navy to spot underwater mines
  and bombs in deep waters. The sea lions are
  trained to alert humans when they detect an
  intruding diver.
• This is not the first time dolphins have helped
  out U.S. military efforts. The Navy started using
  dolphins in the early 1960s, when researchers
  began looking into how the dolphins' sonar, their
  ability to identify objects based on sound waves,
  could be used to locate mines and do other
  underwater tasks. The dolphins returned to action
  during the Vietnam War and again in the 1990-1991
  Gulf War

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Generalization

• All dolphins are trained to help military
  personnel detect mines in the waterways of Iraq.
• A. This generalization is valid. It is supported
  by facts and examples.
• B. This generalization is faulty. The reader
  made an error and did not re-read to check the
  facts.

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Article from Time for KidsImages from Google
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Make a generalization about the military dolphins.

• Analyze the authors facts.
• Military divers train some animals to help with
  dangers missions.
• Military forces train dolphins for work in
  underwater mine fields.