Drawing Conclusions and a FREEBIE!

I feel like I need to introduce myself because it's been so long since I had the chance to sit down and write a post!  With two daughters in high school, my life is crazy right now!  This past week at school, we worked on drawing conclusions.  This year I am making it a point to read at least one picture book a week (along with the chapter book I'm reading to the kids).  Reading great picture books is the one thing I miss about teaching first grade!  I'm not sure why I thought this had to stop once I moved up to a 3rd/4th high ability class.  I choose my book for the week depending on the comprehension skill we are practicing.  It just so happens that picture day and drawing conclusions fell on the same week.  I knew I had to read the book Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen.

This book is hilarious and is perfect for students to infer their way to a conclusion at the end of the story (which is usually the wrong conclusion!).
I started the week with an anchor chart from my soon to be released Anchor Chart Toolkit for Comprehension Skills (this will be a companion to my Anchor Chart Toolkit for Comprehension Strategies).

We worked on making inferences last week, and how they help us draw logical conclusions.  As I read the book, students had to take notes on clues that would help them draw a conclusion at the end of the story.  Before I read (or students could read) the final few pages, they had to complete a drawing conclusions graphic organizer.

If you haven't read Picture Day Perfection, you need to go straight to the library or book store!  We were able to do so many activities using this book as a mentor text.
If you would like to grab a free copy of my Comprehension Companion for Drawing Conclusions, click on the picture below...

I would love to know what mentor text are your favorites and books that you use for drawing conclusions!