READ 30280

Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

Solve the Inference Puzzle!

Amy Coyle
OBrien, R. (1976). Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. New York:
McClelland & Stewart.
Text Complexity
Quantitative Measures:
IL- Grades 3-5
Grade Level- 5.8
Lexile- 790
DRA- 50
Guided Reading Level- V

Qualitative Complexity:
This text is broken up into twenty-eight chapters, which all lead into one another. The text
is written in third person, and consists of mainly long and descriptive sentences. Metaphors
and similes are used occasionally, as well as some symbolism. Background knowledge of
some science and engineering concepts may be needed in order for students to better
understand some parts of the book.

Reader Characteristics
Many of the students in this class do not read at the same level, and all have different areas
of strength and areas for improvement when it comes to reading skills. For this lesson
however, only five students have been specially selected in order to enhance a certain skill
that they all struggle with. Sam and the four other students who struggle with making
predictions and inferences will be able to benefit from this lesson. The students in this
group enjoy working in small groups together and thrive when working on hands-on
activities, yet they all seem to struggle with reading and some comprehension of the book.

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

Focus of Instruction: Making Inferences

This comprehension skill was selected to teach because all students in the class
would benefit from learning how to make inferences. Sam would especially benefit
from this lesson, because he has trouble being able to make inferences, as do other
students in the class. This comprehension skill relates to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of
NIMH because in this book, the author does not always explain or answer questions
that readers may have. This puts more of an emphasis on the reader because they
have to make inferences using prior knowledge and information from the text in
order to figure out some of the deeper or hidden meanings.
Objective(s):

ELA CCSS Standards:

SWBAT successfully make inferences.

SWBAT ask about their own inferences.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when
explaining what the text says explicitly and
when drawing inferences from the text.

List of materials:
All that is needed for this lesson is the book, and a worksheet with empty puzzle pieces that
the students will fill in, which will be provided by the teacher. A picture to begin the lesson
will also be needed as a hook.
Idea for lesson: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/289848925987668761/

Lesson Procedures
Before: In order to grab the students attention from the moment that the lesson has
begun, I will show them a picture of a child on their birthday. I will ask the students
questions such as Why do you think this child looks so happy? or How can you
determine that the child in this picture is happy? I will then as the students how they feel
on their birthday, and then ask them what conclusions they can come to about the child in
the picture, using their background knowledge of birthdays, and what is shown in the
picture itself. I will then tell them that they will be starting a lesson on making inferences in
relation to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and I will show them the worksheet that they
will have to fill out. I will then go over one of the sheets with the students, and show them
how to fill it out. I will then tell them that after they finish all three of the inference
worksheets by themselves, they will be sharing their answers with a partner.

During: The students will fill out three different inference puzzle sheets by themselves. I
will be monitoring the all of the students work while they are doing it, so if they have
questions or are struggling with the concept, I will be there and able to help them. Once
they have finished all three of their worksheets, I will ask them to turn to a partner and
discuss their answers. I will again be walking around during this, so that I can monitor

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading
student progress and see what the students have picked up on and what they havent.

After: The students will be required to fill out an inference puzzle worksheet by
themselves for homework. For this homework assignment, they will also have to think of
their own question to start the inference puzzle, instead of being provided with one. When
the students come into class the next day, I will have them turn to a partner in their group
and discuss the inferences they made for homework.

Method of Assessment:
In order to assess the students work, I will look at their worksheet that they have filled in,
and have a small chat with each of the students in order for them to explain what they did to
me. If they filled in the sheet correctly and have no trouble explaining their work to me,
then I will know that they have fully grasped the concept of making inferences. If the
student is struggling to explain their thought process for this activity, then I will know that
they still need more help with this comprehension skill.
Criteria for Success: In the students responses, I will be looking for proper examples
from the text, including quotes, which will indicate their understanding of the text. I will
also be looking for their outside or background knowledge on the topic, and then how they
relate both these ideas to form one singular inference.

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

SAMPLE WORKSHEET
Name:

Date:

An inference is a conclusion about a question or concept in a book that uses both information
from the text and outside knowledge.
Directions: Answer the question by filling out the Information/Clues from the Text box and
the Outside Knowledge box to come up with your conclusion!

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

SAMPLE HOOK TO BEGIN LESSON