End of the Year Inference Centers Activity | Inference Mystery

Teaching students how to make inferences doesn’t get more engaging than this! In this set of end of the year inference centers students will become investigators tasked with solving the ‘Case of the Mystery Pen Pal’ - finding clues and making inferences along the way!

What is this set of end of the year inference centers all about?

The rising 5th grade students at Sunnyside Elementary School are pen pals for the summer. They send each other updates, pictures, and souvenirs that hint at how they’re spending their summer days.

There’s just one problem! We don’t know who is pen pals with who, nor do we know what each student’s summer plans are. As they investigate all students, clues, and leads, your students will be using their inferencing skills to determine the following:

Who is pen pals with who?

What is each student doing this summer?

Are any of the students planning to spend time together? If so, where?

How do I set up these inference centers in my classroom?

There isn’t too much to prepare when setting up these centers, I promise! If you’re planning to use them year after year (and you’ll want to, I just know it!) many pieces can be printed and laminated for reuse.

You will prepare 6 reusable stations (1 for each of the pen pals students are investigating), each with a set of clues. 

Each student will need a set of printable sheets to record their inferences about each student and a printable introduction booklet that ‘sets the scene’ for the whole investigation! 

What is included in this inference center resource?

• Detailed teacher instructions
• 6 printable inference stations where students will ‘investigate’ to solve the case of the mystery pen pal
• Suggested Answers
• Printable Introduction Booklet (also available as a full-color version to laminate and reuse)
• A DIGITAL, Google Slides version of the entire activity! 

I am always on the hunt for engaging resources that help our students practice their inference skills… without them even realizing it! That’s where this center-based activity was born. I just know your students will love this activity as well. 

Looking for more engaging ways to practice inferencing? I’ve got you covered!

• ‘The Case of the Misdelivered Package’ - Inference Centers
• Making Inferences - The Ultimate Bundle
• Literal vs. Inferential Picture Task Cards
• Inference Task Card Bundle

Looking for no-prep lessons and slides for teaching inferencing? Look no further! You can find them here!

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