Inferencing Project

By Jennifer Clark, 4th grade teacher at Hillendale Elementary School

Being able to incorporate the arts in my instruction is an opportunity I look for around every corner.

The corner of the world that has inspired me as of late is the work on display currently at the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery. My fourth grade students were shown some of the images and asked to think about what happened immediately before the photo was taken, what happened when the photo was taken, and what happened immediately after the photo was taken. Their interpretations or inferences needed to have proof within the photograph supporting their reasoning. They also had the chance to give the photograph a title they thought suited it best. The following are what they so creatively produced.


Jessica Backhaus Clips from "Once, Still, and Forever" 40 × 50in., c-print 2010 Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York

Jessica Backhaus
Clips from “Once, Still, and Forever”
40 × 50in., c-print
2010
Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York

Actual Title: “Clips”
Student Title: “Why Is It So Stinky In Here?”
By: Hunter

Before the picture was taken a spouse is leaving for a trip and says to her husband, “Dear, don’t forget to do the laundry.” Then she puts the clothespins on the windowsill. I know this because she would like him to do it and the clothespins could remind him if he saw them. During the picture the spouse is playing a violent game on Xbox and he is so addicted he keeps on playing and doesn’t do the laundry. I know this because the clothespins are still there. After the picture was taken the spouse gets home after her trip and says, “Dear lord it is stinky in here!” and starts yelling at her husband.

Actual Title: “Clips”
Student Title: “Hungry, Hungry Spider”
By: Abby

Before the picture was taken a cute little spider found a house and made a spider web home in it. The only problem was he wasn’t getting enough food so he set up clothespins so if a bug went to the clothespin he would jump on it and kill the bug and eat it. I know this because the spider is so small because he doesn’t get enough food so you can’t see him. I know he found a home here because there is a spider web on the window, which is shining light through. During the picture the spider is getting more clothespins in the house. I know this because he is not in the picture and he wants more food so he wants to set more traps. After the picture was taken the spider’s trap didn’t work so he moved to a new house and he had much more to eat.


Shen Wei Fountain , Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, from "Chinese Sentiment" 24 × 30in., c-print 2009 Image courtesy of the artist and Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York.

Shen Wei
Fountain , Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, from “Chinese Sentiment”
24 × 30in., c-print
2009
Image courtesy of the artist and Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York.

Actual Title: “Fountain”
Student Title: “Dancing Water”
By: Rachel

Before the picture was taken there were people lining up at a place like Longwood Gardens to see a water show. I know this because it looks like a place professional people take care of. During the picture the show is going on, but you can’t see the audience because they are behind the fountains. It is the grand finale. I know this because it looks like a very exciting part of the show. After the picture was taken everybody leaves with a smile on his or her face, the show had been awesome.

Actual Title: “Fountain”
Student Title: “Misty Mon” (To be read with a Jamaican accent)
By: Ethan

Before the picture was taken it was Halloween night and the Melters were trying to get the scariest house prize, but they could not hide their projector that made all the scary things appear, so he bought a mist machine. During the picture, Mr. Melter turned on the mist machine and the scary things started to appear. After the picture no one came back to this house again on Halloween night.


Jessica Backhaus Blue Sink from "Jesus and the Cherries" 24 × 20in., c-print 2002 Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York

Jessica Backhaus
Blue Sink from “Jesus and the Cherries”
24 × 20in., c-print
2002
Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York

Actual Title: “Blue Sink”
Student Title: “The Bath”
By: Charlie

Before the picture was taken someone was going to take a bath. I know this because it looks like a bath. During the picture someone was going to put cold water in. I know this because there is no hand on the hot water. After the picture was taken he is done his bath.

Actual Title: “Blue Sink”
Student Title: “Bed Time”
By: Madison

A three-year-old girl was going to wash her face. I know this because the soap is on the right. During the picture she is washing her face. I know because the water is not on. After the picture she got into bed and went to sleep.


Shen Wei Sugar Candy Stick Chongqing, from "Chinese Sentiment" 24 × 30in., c-print 2009 Image courtesy of the artist and Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York.

Shen Wei
Sugar Candy Stick Chongqing, from “Chinese Sentiment”
24 × 30in., c-print
2009
Image courtesy of the artist and Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York.

Actual Title: “Sugar Candy Stick”
Student Title: “Taking A Stroll In The Park”
By: Lizzie

Before the picture was taken there was a baby in the park with his mom and he dropped a lollipop. I know this because there is a white stick on the ground. During the picture the sun came out and I know this because there is a reflection in the corner. After the picture was taken the sun melted the rest of the lollipop.

Actual Title: “Sugar Candy Stick”
Student Title: “Cry, Cry”
By: Lauren

Before the picture was taken someone was walking along the edge of the pond. By accident she dropped her giant lollipop stick with just a little left into the pond. I know this because the stick is dripping with water. During the picture she took the stick out of the water and placed it on the ground. After the picture was taken, she ran crying over to her mom and begged her for a new one.


Elizabeth Fleming Broken from "Strange Happenings" 14 × 21 in., archival inkjet print 2008 Image courtesy of the artist

Elizabeth Fleming
Broken from “Strange Happenings”
14 × 21 in., archival inkjet print
2008
Image courtesy of the artist

Actual Title: “Broken”
Student Title: “Baseball Accident”
By: Hannah

Before the picture was taken a couple of boys were playing baseball in the backyard and the ball broke the light bulb. During the picture the boys were in big trouble. I know that because now the light bulb is broken and a door is open so the boys are saying sorry. After the boys were not allowed to play baseball.

Actual Title: “Broken”
Student Title: “Need A New Light Bulb”
By: Grace

Before the picture was taken a girl was looking for a place to sing and did it in the living room. During the picture she started to sing and the light bulb broke. I know this because sometimes a high pitch can break glass. After the picture was taken, she got in huge trouble for singing.


Elizabeth Fleming Analog from "Strange Happenings" 14 × 21 in., archival inkjet print 2008 Image courtesy of the artist

Elizabeth Fleming
Analog from “Strange Happenings”
14 × 21 in., archival inkjet print
2008
Image courtesy of the artist

Actual Title: “Analog”
Student Title: “Party All Night”
By: Connor

Before the picture was taken, there was a party and they tried to open a bag of string, but it popped. I know this because there is a lot of string on the ground. During the picture, the person throwing the party goes and gets a broom to clean up the mess. I know this because you can’t see the person. After the picture was taken, the person cleaned up the mess and partied all night!

Actual Title: “Analog”
Student Title: “Party Cleaners”
By: Gabrielle

Before the picture was taken, a teenager’s parents left for a cruise that didn’t allow kids under 18 and told the teenager no parties. I know this because in the picture it doesn’t show a person and the streamers didn’t look so old so they could have been taken out a bit later. During the picture the party ended and all of the guests are leaving and the teenager’s parents park the car in the driveway. I know this because in the picture streamers are trashed and the light from the car lights is shining through the window. After the picture is taken, the teenager’s parents come in, see the mess, and make the teenager clean up the whole mess and then they grounded her.


Jessica Backhaus Reflection, from "One Day in November" 20 × 24in., c-print 2005 Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York.

Jessica Backhaus
Reflection, from “One Day in November”
20 × 24in., c-print
2005
Image courtesy of Laurence Miller Gallery, New York.

Actual Title: “Reflection”
Student Title: ” Cry, Cry”
By: Jon

Before the picture was taken a man that served in the U.S. military died and the family decided to have a home funeral. I know this because there is no crowd. During the picture the family is crying and feeling like they wanted to say goodbye before he died serving. After the picture was taken, the family is trying to be thankful for what they have. I inference this because the lighting is dim and there is a candle at the end of the hallway which resembles life.

Actual Title: “Reflection”
Student Title: “SOS! SOS!”
By: Catherine

Before the picture was taken, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. I know this because there is no one in the room – they are trying to get on a lifeboat. During the picture the ship started to tilt. I can tell this because the pictures are starting to stick out. After the picture, the ship goes down. I can tell this because I know the story of the Titanic.