In this post, I will share how to teach inferencing with a Mystery Box! I have used a Mystery Box in the past to engage students in a lesson.  It is an excellent way to encourage their little noggins to think and we all love a good guessing game.

After I found this great DIY box at Target, I just knew that I could improve my old, worn Mystery Box.  Plus, I thought many of you might like to make one, too.  So, here’s my new improved box.  Love it!

I brought it out to my students yesterday, and prefaced our little mini-lesson by telling them its contents were related to the activities we’d be doing next week.  I held it up, shook it, and passed it around to my kiddos so they could feel its weight.

Then I told them to guess what was inside.  I recorded their guesses {pre-clues} in black on a whole group graphic organizer.  Groundog, anyone?  Afterwards, we discussed why some guesses were more appropriate than others.

Next, I distributed 1 clue to each student in the room.  They had to record their clue on a corresponding response sheet, and then find a friend with a different clue.  {There were 4 clues total.}

 Once they found and recorded all 4 clues, they were instructed to read the clues altogether and write or draw about what they now thought was in the Mystery Box.

Their guesses ranged from paper airplane, to American flag (since one of the clues was “It is red and white.”), to what was actually inside:  a Valentine 🙂

Before revealing what was inside, we reconvened as a group to discuss our new guesses.  We recorded those guesses on our graphic organizer in pink.  Then, again, we discussed why some guesses were more appropriate than others (i.e. it was not very likely that they were going to be doing activities pertaining to a “triangle toy” next week!).  In the end, they ALL decided it was a Valentine 🙂

And THAT, is how to teach inferencing with a Mystery Box!

If you’re interested in this activity you can purchase your own copy at Teachers Pay Teachers!  The printable includes Mystery Box templates to decorate your own mystery box, clue cards, 5 accompanying activity sheets to use with a mystery box, and a sample lesson plan (the one I discussed here).  This is another great activity to extend inferencing, too 🙂

{A couple of things: while the Mystery Box templates are great for the box I purchased a Target, they could be pasted on ANY OLD BOX!!!  The kids will love the activity no matter what your box looks like.  However, if you’re looking for the box I used here, it’s at Target in the Dollar Spot.  Also, in order to clearly view and print my acitivities YOU MUST have the most current Adobe Acrobat Download.  If you’re a Mac user, you MUST have Adobe Acrobat Reader X.}

Happy teaching!