Detective Time! Let's Learn About Clues!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 9:55 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's become detectives and learn how to find hidden clues to understand stories better! We'll watch a video and play games to help us guess what's happening!

Video Resource

Making Inferences for Kids | What is an inference? | Inference and reading comprehension practice

Learn Bright

Duration: 9:55
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Inferences
  • Clues
  • Guessing

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define what an inference is in simple terms.
  • Students will be able to identify clues in a story.
  • Students will be able to make a guess about what is happening in a story based on clues.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they have ever been a detective or played a guessing game. Explain that today, they will be learning how to be story detectives! Introduce the word 'clue' and explain that clues help us understand things better.
  • Watch the Video (8 mins)
    Play the "Making Inferences for Kids" video. Tell the students to pay close attention to what the video says about finding clues.
  • Discuss the Video (5 mins)
    After watching the video, ask students what they learned about making guesses and finding clues. Reiterate the four steps mentioned in the video in a simplified manner: 1. Listen to the Story. 2. Find the Clues. 3. Think about What You Already Know. 4. Make a Smart Guess!
  • Clue Game (10 mins)
    Play a simple clue game. Describe a familiar object or animal using clues, and have the students guess what it is. For example: 'I am yellow, I am round, and you see me in the sky during the day. What am I?' (The Sun).
  • Story Time & Guessing (10 mins)
    Read a short, simple story aloud. Pause at certain points and ask questions that require the students to make inferences based on clues in the story. For example: 'The little girl was crying. What do you think happened?'
  • Wrap Up (2 mins)
    Review what they learned about clues and making smart guesses. Tell them they can be detectives every time they hear a story!

Interactive Exercises

  • Mystery Box
    Place a familiar object in a box. Give clues about the object, such as its color, shape, or texture. Have the students guess what is in the box based on the clues.
  • Picture Clues
    Show pictures that tell a story. Ask the students what they think is happening in the pictures, encouraging them to use clues they see in the picture to make their guesses.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a clue?
  • How do clues help us?
  • Can you think of a time you used clues to figure something out?

Skills Developed

  • Listening Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Vocabulary Building

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What helps us make a smart guess?

Correct Answer: Clues

Question 2:

A clue is like finding a...

Correct Answer: Secret

Question 3:

If someone is smiling, they are probably...

Correct Answer: Happy

Question 4:

If someone is crying, they are probably...

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 5:

What do detectives look for?

Correct Answer: Clues

Question 6:

A yellow fruit that monkeys like to eat is a...

Correct Answer: Banana

Question 7:

When you feel cold, you might want to wear a...

Correct Answer: All of the above

Question 8:

What do you use to draw?

Correct Answer: Crayon

Question 9:

The sun makes us feel...

Correct Answer: Warm

Question 10:

If it is raining, you might want to grab a...

Correct Answer: Umbrella

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We use our eyes to see _______.

Correct Answer: clues

Question 2:

A good guess is a _______ guess.

Correct Answer: smart

Question 3:

When someone falls down and scrapes their knee, they may feel _______.

Correct Answer: sad

Question 4:

A detective finds _______.

Correct Answer: clues

Question 5:

I like to read _______ with pictures.

Correct Answer: books

Question 6:

Bears love _______ to eat.

Correct Answer: honey

Question 7:

I use a _______ to clean my teeth.

Correct Answer: toothbrush

Question 8:

A _______ is yellow and gives us sunshine.

Correct Answer: sun

Question 9:

Dogs like to _______ their tail.

Correct Answer: wag

Question 10:

Birds fly in the _______.

Correct Answer: sky

Educational Standards

PK.2.R:Students will begin to retell or reenact major events or details from a read-aloud. 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.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.1.S.3:Students will ask and answer questions with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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