When I started dating my husband, I was texting him one night and used the line “Put Me in Coach.” First, he is a coach and second, I love a good pun. I love my husband with all of my heart, but flirty one liners are not always his jam. Even better, I texted my friend that he did not get my line and I was annoyed…. Wait for it…. I actually texted him that. Guess what, we are married and now we laugh about this. Making inferences can sometimes be like pick-up lines that fall flat. 

Inference is a skill that I teach over and over again during my English Language Arts block in my classroom. It is not a one and done skill. We review this skill all year. Making inferences is tough when your brain is used to thinking concretely! But it’s not impossible to get students on the right track.

Teach your students the formula My Life + The Book = An Inference  

You already know what I’m going to say.  The best way to teach inferencing skills is with picture books! 😉

These 3 picture books are my favorite for inference lessons. 

🚲 Drawn Together–  tells the story of a boy and his grandfather who struggle to communicate because they speak different languages. Through drawing and art, they discover a special way to connect and build a strong relationship.

🐠 Paul Meets Bernadette – follows Paul, a fish who only notices ordinary things around him, until he meets Bernadette, who helps him see beauty and wonder in the world. By the end of the story, Paul learns to look at life in a whole new way.

🪀A Bad Case of Stripes–  is about a girl named Camilla who worries so much about fitting in that she develops colorful stripes all over her body. In the end, she learns the importance of being herself and not caring so much about what others think.

Making Inferences with Paul Meets Bernadette

🐠 Model – When you make an inference, you are a detective looking for clues. On the first page of Paul Meets Bernadette, model what making an inference looks like. Ask your students, “How do we know he’s sad? What clues do the text and picture give us?” Then, show them how to make an inference.

🐠 Practice Together – As you continue to read the book, stop at key moments to make inferences together. You might ask, “How can you tell Bernadette helps Pual notice new things around him? What words or pictures help us understand the outside world?” Then work together, out loud, to make an inference.

🐠 Practice Solo – Give students a chance to practice on their own! I have a free Inference resource you can pair with the story to help students apply their inference skills.

Make your inference-unit planning easy by grabbing my Comprehension Vault. There’s no fluff or busy work. Instead, you’ll find engaging ways to practice inference with activities, guiding questions, and games. 

The post Teaching Inference with Picture Books That Actually Work appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino

This nonfiction picture book is a treasure trove of scientific information about snowflakes and their formation. The vivid illustrations and detailed explanations make it an excellent choice for teaching inferencing.

Inferencing Activity: Before reading, show students close-up photos of snowflakes (many of which can be found in the book). Ask them, “What do you think makes each snowflake unique?” or “What clues in these images suggest how snowflakes form?” After reading, have students compare their inferences with the information provided in the book, discussing how they used text and visual evidence to refine their thinking.

Blizzard by John Rocco

This beautifully illustrated story recounts the author’s childhood experience of a massive snowstorm. The narrative and visuals are rich with clues, making it perfect for inferencing practice.

Inferencing Activity: As you read, pause to ask questions like, “How do you think the boy feels about the blizzard?” or “What might happen next based on the footprints in the snow?” Encourage students to use text evidence, illustrations, and their own background knowledge to justify their responses. After finishing the book, challenge students to create a “What happens after the story ends?” illustration and share the clues that led to their predictions.

Looking to go beyond inferencing? I’ve created a full picture book companion resource for Blizzard that encompasses many reading and writing skills for the classroom. This ready-to-print resource is designed to make your planning a breeze and ensure students are fully engaged in learning.

Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey

This heartwarming story captures the magic of a snowstorm bringing a community together. Its poetic language and evocative illustrations provide ample opportunities for inferencing.

Inferencing Activity: Ask students to infer the family’s emotions as they huddle inside during the storm. Use prompts like, “How do the colors in the illustrations make you feel?” or “What clues tell us how the characters are feeling?” Extend the activity by having students write about what they would wish for if they could step into the snow globe themselves, including the clues from the story that inspired their ideas.

Bringing it All Together: Just Snow Already

If you’re looking for an additional inferencing resource, I’ve created a comprehensive activity for Just Snow Already that you can find on my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This activity engages students in identifying clues, making predictions, and supporting their inferences with evidence from the story.

Final Thoughts

Teaching inferencing doesn’t have to feel like trudging through a snowstorm. With these winter-themed books and activities, you’ll warm your students’ hearts while building critical reading skills. Do you have a favorite winter book or inferencing activity? Share it in the comments—I’d love to add it to my classroom collection!

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The post Warm Up Reading Skills with Winter Inferences appeared first on Ramona Recommends.