Using Picture Books to Teach "Making Inferences"

Many of my students struggle with making inferences. It is quite difficult for them to take what they have read, their prior knowledge, and their own thoughts/ideas to infer about the meaning of what they read. I am working on compiling a list of picture books that can be used to teach this skill. Here are a few I have found so far (click on the title to go to Amazon.com to for more information):

The Stranger                           Chris Van Allsburg

Fly Away Home                      Eve Bunting

Teammates                              Peter Golenbock

June 29, 1999                           David Wiesner

Tight Times                              Barbara Shook Hazen

Encounter                                 Jane Yolen

Thank You, Mr. Falker          Patricia Pollaco

Image from: https://gblog.garlandisd.net/users/ceestefa/weblog/a43a1/MAKING_INFERENCES.html 

Laura Candler

Another example of a wonderful internet resource for reading/language arts instruction is Laura Candler's site, Teaching Resources. I have used both her free materials and materials that I have purchased from her site, and I have not been disappointed. Many of her activities focus on cooperative learning, and I find that they are all very easy to adapt to fit the needs of all students. My students had so much fun with these lessons/activities. I do not think they realized they were definitely learning and practicing new concepts!

Daily 5 and CAFE

I recently began planning for the 2011-2012 school year, and I am hoping to incorporate the wonderful programs created by the "2 Sisters", Gail Boushey and Joan Moser.

The Daily Cafe

I love the routines and the fact that these programs foster independence in students. My daughter, a 1st grader, used both Daily 5 and CAFE last year, and her literacy skills are fantastic! I plan to have her serve as my consultant as I set up my programs :-)

Welcome!

I hope you enjoy my blog that will provide links to great ideas for teaching reading and language arts in the upper-elementary grades. I will include programs that I find effective, links to websites that I find to be good resources, and any other information I can share. Feel free to share your own ideas as well!