First of all, what is is about returning from Christmas break that just makes that lightbulb turn on in my firsties’ sweet little minds?!  I don’t know if it’s them or me, but they came back from the holidays with their game faces on!  I love it!  We’re *finally* getting through almost everything in my lesson plans, which makes me feel like a super teacher (…for the first time in months!).  Anyway, when I introduced making inferences a couple weeks ago, I started with a little lesson involving the contents of the ridiculously large bag I tote back and forth to school every day.  {This is not a new lesson – my teaching friend did this with her “trash” last year.}

After defining inferencing to my kiddos, I showed them my bag and began to pull out its contents.  I explained that they were going to make inferences about me based on what was inside.  This was a great way to kick off our weekly skill, and they did a great job with it.

Next, I gave my pumpkins a little follow-up writing activity where they drew 2 pictures of things I had in my bag, along with what they could infer about me.

Alternately, you can do this activity by letting your students sort through you “trash.”  You can download copies of these inferencing activities by clicking the pictures below (both documents are included):

{ETA:  Camille let me know that my lesson is an adaptation of an idea from Tanny MacGregor, the author of Comprehension Connections: Bridges to Strategic Reading.  I haven’t read this book before, but just wanted to make sure I acknowledged her creativity!}

A great follow-up to a week of learning about inferences is The Inferencing Investigation.  I did this activity with my kiddos last year, so you can read all about it HERE.  It also includes another free printable.   Admittedly, we haven’t got to it yet this year, but I still plan to do it!

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Unrelatedly, thanks so much for your sweet words on my last post.  So. Not. Necessary!  I know that bad teaching weeks are just par for the course, but it bears mentioning that they do happen.  And when they do, you just have to do lots and lots of yoga breaths and maybe have a glass of wine.  Or two 😉  However, I’m one of those people that copes with my problems by talking through them (shocking, I know), so it’s difficult to have this blog and not talk about them!   Anyway, y’all are the best.  Hands down.

Have a great week!  {I can’t believe tomorrow is already Monday!}