Snowy Day Case Files

I don't know about all of you, but we are "blog stalkers."  Last winter we found an awesome inferencing activity from Babbling Abby and just HAD to have it!  It's called the Snowy Day Case Files.  

I'm not going to lie, it takes forever to prep but it's totally worth it!  Our classes loved it.   

You start out by explaining inferencing.  Babbling Abby included a variety of short paragraphs and the kids had to make inferences about each one... She even included a "cheat sheet" for the teacher.  

We started prepping the case files a few days before we actually wanted to use them because it is quite involved with the items it calls for.  There are 4 different files so you have to spilt the class into 4 detective groups.  

Here's one of them...

Then the real fun begins.  The groups have to work together to try and figure out what everything means. They each have a data sheet to record their inferences.  Once each group has enough time to discuss and record, everyone comes back together to report out.  

All the groups share what was in their file and explain the inferences they made.  We then tried to put all the pieces together to figure out what Tim and Grandma did on the snowy day!  Once we had all the activities narrowed down we talked about what order they might have done them in and made a timeline.  

(Sorry it's shaky)

I know we are getting away from snowy days but it's a great activity to keep in mind for next year! We highly recommend it. 

Terrific, but Tiring Tuesday

Well..it's over.  My first observation of the year, that is.  :)  I am so glad...the last couple of years things have really changed up here in Michigan with the teacher evaluation process.  And even though I know that what I'm doing is wonderful (obviously or I wouldn't be sharing it with you...haha!), I am always extra stressed on the day of the observation. 

So fast forward to 9:25 A.M--My kids were just finishing up their morning journals and math games and I quickly gathered them on the carpet for "the talk."  You all know "the talk." "The principal is coming down this morning to check out our classroom. She really wants to see children who are behaving nicely...yadda yadda yadda."  BUT, I really got their attention by saying that if you are very well behaved you might even earn extra recess time.  Hey, some might call it bribery, but I call it "persuasive speaking." :)

9:30--We start our Christmas Making Inferences activity. This morning I prepped all of the bags and had them all set out around the room.  As the kids came in, it was so cute to hear them "inferring" to each other about what was in the gift bags.  I explain everything (in my extra nice teacher voice of course) and we get moving.  Here's a picture of what the bags looked like.



The kids LOVED it.  It was adorable to see them working together with a partner that I chose and being "Inferring Investigators."  They did a great job on reading and inferring what was in the gift bags.  We wrapped it up by going over our guesses and unwrapping the gifts.  So much fun and a whole lot of learning!

~Sister 2

PS: Good luck to Sister 1 on her observation tomorrow morning!