Understanding how to make an inference from text is often difficult for children. Children make inferences all the time without realizing exactly what they are doing. It is important to share with them that making inferences is like being a detective. You look at all the evidence or clues and put them together along with their background knowledge to come up with an idea about a situation or problem. This packet is filled with “close-ups” and pictures of 50 different creatures.

How to use “What am I?”:

Use the following pictures on a Smartboard, in small groups or individually to introduce and teach the reading comprehension strategy of inferring.

Begin by having my students look closely at the picture of the close-up. Ask them what they see or observe in this picture? What details do they notice? What do they see when looking “closely”? What might they infer this is, based on what they see in the close-up?

Next, have your students make a list of clues or evidence to support their conclusions about the close-up. Using the clues or evidence, what inference can they make about what this creature is? Have them use their evidence to support their conclusions.

Common Core Standards introduced or covered include:

RL.1 and RIT.1 – Ask and answer questions about key details in a text

SL.2 – Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media

SL.3 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. (Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally)

SL.4 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Any claims of correlation or alignment to the CCSS or WIDA ELD Standards are solely those of Tools for Teachers by Kyp McLaren and have not been evaluated or endorsed by WIDA or the NGA.

Kyp McLaren is the sole creator of this product and is not associated with the entities who created the standards.

The Common Core Standards were developed and written by the NGA. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.”

You can find the whole packet here:
Teaching Inferring What am I

If you’re looking for other ways to teach inferring with your students, feel free to check out my inferring riddle packets.

Inferring Through Riddles Featuring Famous Americans – Common Core Aligned
Inferring Through Riddles Featuring Jungle and Rainforest Animals – Common Core Aligned
Inferring Riddles with Storybook Characters Common Core Aligned
Inferring through Riddles Featuring Down on the Farm – Common Core Aligned
Inferring through Riddles Featuring Creepy Crawlies – Common Core Aligned
Inferring through Riddles Featuring Arctic/Ocean Animals – Common Core Aligned
Inferring through Riddles with a Christmas Holiday Twist – Common Core Aligned