Here’s a quick interpretive inference activity that can be for ANY grade level, ANY language and for ANY lesson. The best part, it only takes a few minutes to prep!
Recently I’ve been really digging into the “Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA) Rubrics” from the “Implementing Integrated Performance Assessment” book by ACTFL. I went through the criteria and marked which activities I used in a unit that worked on it. I found that I had very few for “Inferences.” Next I went looking for new ideas and strategies. I found some elementary teachers’ blogs that had some great suggestions. My favorite one is this one that I’ll call “Whatcha thinking?”
Basically it’s a picture with a thought bubble. Done! Learners write in what they think that person is thinking (in the TL of course). They could do this on dry-erase boards or a gallery walk where there are many thought bubbles for everyone to add theirs. I would want to hear what my classmates came up with!
Why I Like It:
- They can complete it at their proficiency level (emojis could even be used).
- Lets them be creative.
- Fun way to develop inference skills.
- They can incorporate their cultural and background knowledge, especially with pictures showing the target culture.
Super Easy Set Up:
- Find a picture.
- Add a thought bubble.
- Provide any sentence starters or phrases they may need (I think…Oh no…).
- Show it to class! They will fill in the bubble with what they “infer” the person is thinking.
Let’s do one together! For the picture below (since this may be very relatable to a lot of you right now), what do you think he is thinking…
Possible Answers:
“Great… I’ll be late again, but at least I have an excuse.”
“Is this my car?”
“Oh no. My scrapper is INSIDE the car.”
“Why didn’t they call a snow day?!”
“According to the weather, this is a “dusting.” Yeah, right!”
There you go… Another idea to add to your teacher toolbox!
Below are some already made that you can download and use. I think this would be a fun class starter. Also I’d have them submit some pictures. I think they’d get a kick out of seeing their picture on the board.
What activities do you like to use for inferences?
Share an idea or picture below!
What an awesome idea! I love it. I love that I can get the kids to create ones of their own. I might use it as one of my homework ideas next month.
Yes! Make them do the work. 🙂 I think they’ll love seeing their pics.
Thank you! You are right. A simple way to focus on inference.
Simple can be good, right?!
I love this. I will try it today!
Go Debbie! Let us know how it went.
What a wonderful post. I love the app “text here” that lets students create their own on their phones!
Thanks! And thanks for that tech suggestion! Were your ears itching last weekend? I was talking about you and your “negotiate order” activity. We did it with drinks. 🙂
These are so cool! I will definitely be using these as warm-ups. Thank you!
Welcome! If they come up with some good ones, I’d love to see them!
Would you happen to have any images appropriate for the teaching of family? We are just beginning a unit on family, possessive adjectives and comparisons.
We’d like to implement interpretive inferencing.
Are you a member on AdiosTextbook.com? I have some photos on the “Puedo decir lo que las familias hacen juntas.” lesson under the Familia unit that could work. Otherwise I suggest looking for photos of families doing different activities that are popular in the target cultures (dominos, making traditional foods, celebrating a holiday or at festival, etc). The “Watcha Thinking” bubble will be a great start that can lead into questions for them to infer: Where are they? What season/month is it? What are they doing? Why are they doing it? If there is not a person in the picture: Who would do this?
I love this! Thank you for sharing! I always get so many great ideas from your posts! 🙂
This probably the best, and the most fantastic post I have ever seen can’t wait to dig deep inside your other blogs.
“I love that you include ideas for “Inferences” and used the ACTFL criteria to find more ways to incorporate this skill in the Spanish Classroom. I like that the activity lets them be creative at their own proficiency levels.”