Readers Workshop

Mini-Lesson Grades 2-6 Comprehension Strategy: Inferencing Introducing Inferencing using book The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg

Need: - The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg - magnifying glass (optional) - suitcase with beach gear inside - sticky notes - butcher paper for anchor chart - marker - copies of inference worksheet found at: http://havefunteaching.com/files/worksheets/reading/inferences/inferences-worksheet-4.pdf Instruction: Ask a student volunteer to come be a detective. Had them a magnifying glass and a suitcase. Have them find clues to figure out where this traveler is headed. (The beach.) What clues made you infer the traveler is going to the beach? On anchor chart write definition of infer: To take author clues and reader background knowledge to draw conclusions. Explain that just like clothes were clue, authors sometimes put clues into their stories. You need to use your background knowledge, just like (student name) did when he/she reflected on what people usually take to the beach. Today you are each going to be detectives as we read this book, The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg. As we read, look for clues to figure out the mystery: who is this stranger? Read book, reminding them to look for clues the author might be leaving. By the end, can anyone guess who this person is? Raise your hand, dont answer yet. I think he might have something to do with the weather. Lets look back in the text for clues having to do with the weather. Identify one clue, about when he blew Mrs. Bailey shivered, his breath was cold. If the students are lost, you could think-aloud and solve the mystery of who the stranger is yourself, then have them go back and find clues to support. Or if you think they follow you can have them piece together the clues to solve the mystery.

Guided Practice: With a partner write a clue from the story on your sticky note. Write Clues on anchor chart. Have them add their sticky notes to the chart. Read them all together as a class. Come to conclusion of who the stranger is (if havent already): Jack Frost.

Independent Practice: For another lesson or center have students read another Chris Van Allsburg book like The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Have them fill out inference worksheet referred to above. Or have them read their independent reading book and mark chapter with stickies where they made an inference. Write what the clue is and what background knowledge they used.