Detective Waddle's Inference Adventure!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 6:08 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's become detectives and learn to find clues and make guesses about what's happening, just like Detective Waddle!

Video Resource

Inferences | Making Inferences | Award Winning Inferences Teaching Video | What is an inference?

GrammarSongs by Melissa

Duration: 6:08
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Inference is making a smart guess based on clues.
  • Clues are found in stories and pictures.
  • We use what we already know to help us guess.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify clues in pictures and stories.
  • Students will be able to use clues and their own knowledge to make simple inferences.
  • Students will be able to answer simple questions based on inferences.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    1. Begin by asking the children if they know what a detective does. Explain that detectives look for clues to solve mysteries. 2. Tell them that today, they will become detectives and learn how to find clues and make smart guesses, called inferences.
  • Video Time! (8 mins)
    1. Play the "Inferences" video by GrammarSongs by Melissa. 2. Encourage children to pay close attention to Detective Waddle and how he finds clues.
  • Detective Waddle Practice (10 mins)
    1. Show the children simple pictures (e.g., a child wearing a raincoat and boots, a dog with a muddy paw print, a birthday cake). 2. For each picture, ask: 'What do you see?' (Identify clues). 'What do you already know about this?' (Prior knowledge). 'What do you think is happening?' (Make an inference). 3. Guide them through the process of identifying clues and using their knowledge to make inferences, just like Detective Waddle.
  • Story Time Inference (10 mins)
    1. Read a short, simple story with clear clues (e.g., a story about a child who is sad because their balloon flew away). 2. Stop at key points and ask: 'What clues have we found?' 'What do we already know about feeling sad?' 'Why do you think the child is sad?' 3. Help the children connect the clues to their own experiences to make inferences about the story.
  • Wrap-Up and Inference Game (7 mins)
    1. Review what an inference is: a smart guess based on clues and what we know. 2. Play a quick 'Inference Game'. Give simple scenarios (e.g., 'It's raining outside. What should you wear?'). Ask children to make inferences based on the scenarios. 3. Praise their detective work!

Interactive Exercises

  • Clue Hunt!
    Hide simple objects around the room (e.g., a toy car, a crayon, a small book). Give the children clues to find the objects. After finding each object, ask them to infer what activity they might do with it (e.g., 'You found a crayon! What might we do with a crayon?').

Discussion Questions

  • What is a clue?
  • What does it mean to guess?
  • How can knowing things help us guess what will happen?
  • Can you think of a time you had to guess about something?

Skills Developed

  • Listening Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Vocabulary Building
  • Observation Skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What do detectives look for?

Correct Answer: Clues

Question 2:

If it's raining, what might you need?

Correct Answer: An umbrella

Question 3:

If someone is smiling, how do they probably feel?

Correct Answer: Happy

Question 4:

What is it called when we make a smart guess?

Correct Answer: Inferring

Question 5:

If you see a birthday cake, what might be happening?

Correct Answer: A party

Question 6:

If someone is crying, how do they probably feel?

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 7:

What can help us make a smart guess?

Correct Answer: Clues

Question 8:

If the sun is out, what might you need?

Correct Answer: Sunglasses

Question 9:

If you see paint brushes and paper, what might you do?

Correct Answer: Draw

Question 10:

What is Detective Waddle good at?

Correct Answer: Finding Clues

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We find _________ to help us guess.

Correct Answer: clues

Question 2:

A smart guess is called an _________.

Correct Answer: inference

Question 3:

Detectives look for _________.

Correct Answer: clues

Question 4:

If it is hot, you might want _________.

Correct Answer: water

Question 5:

If someone is laughing, they are probably _________.

Correct Answer: happy

Question 6:

Birthday parties have _________.

Correct Answer: cake

Question 7:

If you find a ball, you can _________.

Correct Answer: play

Question 8:

When you eat you use a _________.

Correct Answer: spoon

Question 9:

If you are cold you can put on a _________.

Correct Answer: jacket

Question 10:

If it is dark, you can turn on a _________.

Correct Answer: light

Educational Standards

PK.3.R.2:Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting. PK.4.R.2:Students will begin to develop an awareness of context clues through read-alouds and other text experiences. PK.8.R:Students will listen and respond to read-alouds, participate in shared reading, and interact independently with texts. PK.1.S.3:Students will ask and answer questions with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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