Investigation Goals Teacher Guide Inference Case Files
Teacher Resource
IEP Goal & Implementation Guide: Reading Comprehension (Inferences)
Student Profile Summary
Grade Level: 6th Grade (Student with SLD)
Current Performance: 35% accuracy on grade-level inference tasks.
Focus Areas: Inferring Main Idea from details, Inferring Author's Purpose.
Support Tools: Story maps, Two-column organizers.
Annual IEP Goal
"By March 2027, when given a grade-level literary or informational text and a graphic organizer, the student will correctly make inferences (inferring the main idea from details and inferring the author’s purpose) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials, as measured by teacher observation and work samples."
Short-Term Objectives (STOs)
STO 1: Main Idea Inference
Given a grade-level passage and a two-column 'Clue Collector' organizer, the student will infer the main idea by synthesizing at least three text details with 60% accuracy.
STO 2: Author's Purpose Inference
Given a grade-level passage and a structured prompt, the student will identify the author’s purpose (persuade, inform, entertain, describe, explain) using at least one piece of text evidence with 60% accuracy.
Instructional Strategies
1
The "Clue" Equation
Text Evidence + My Brain (Schema) = Inference
Explicitly teach that an inference isn't a guess; it's a conclusion based on clues the author left behind. Use the provided "Clue Collector" organizer to bridge this gap.
2
Think-Aloud Modeling
When reading, pause and say: "I see the author wrote [detail]. This reminds me of [background knowledge]. So, I can infer that [inference]."
3
Visual Anchors (PIEDE)
Use the Author's Purpose acronym PIEDE (Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Describe, Explain) to give the student a finite list of options to choose from when inferring purpose.
Tracking Progress
Monitor progress bi-weekly using the provided practice worksheets. Score the student's ability to provide both the inference and the supporting evidence from the text.
Accuracy calculation:
(Correct Inferences / Total Opportunities) × 100
Independence Level:
Note if the student required prompts to use the graphic organizer.
Detective Deck Slides Inference Investigators
Solving the Mystery of the Unsaid
What is an Inference?
Authors don't always tell you everything directly. They leave clues for you to find.
The Text
📖
(Evidence)
My Brain
🧠
(Schema)
=
Inference!
🔍
Case File #1: The Main Idea
The Main Idea is the "big picture."
How to find it:
Look at the supporting details.
Ask: "What do all these clues have in common?"
Combine them into one big sentence.
Case File #2: Author's Purpose
Why did the author write this? We have 5 main "suspects" (PIEDE):
P
Persuade
Change your mind
I
Inform
Give you facts
E
Entertain
Tell a story
D
Describe
Create a picture
E
Explain
How-to steps
Let's Investigate Together!
The Text Clue
"Leo packed his heavy boots, a thick scarf, and a pair of sturdy goggles. He checked the weather report one last time before grabbing his board and heading to the mountain."
What's the Main Idea?
Leo is preparing for a snowboarding trip.
What's the Author's Purpose?
Entertain (He is telling us a story about Leo).
Ready to Start Your Investigation?
1
Find your evidence
2
Use your schema
3
State your inference
"Good luck, detective!"
Clue Collector Organizer Clue Collector
Name:
Date:
Inference Evidence Log
Text Evidence
(What I Read)
Schema
(What I Know)
Inference
SUCCESS!
Text Clues & Evidence
(Copy details from the story)
My Thinking & Schema
(What does this clue mean?)
Case Conclusion (My Big Inference)
Based on these clues, what is the main idea or the author's purpose?
Resource: Inference Investigator Log
Goal: 80% Mastery
Purpose Profiles Worksheet Purpose Profiles
Name:
Date:
CASE FILE: AUTHOR'S PURPOSE (PIEDE)
P
Persuade
I
Inform
E
Entertain
D
Describe
E
Explain
CASE #1
The Ocean's Giants
"Blue whales are the largest animals to ever live on Earth. They can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh as much as 30 elephants. Their tongues alone weigh as much as an entire elephant, and their hearts are the size of a bumper car."
What is the author's purpose?
Persuade
Inform
Entertain
How do you know? (Evidence)
CASE #2
Save Our Recess
"Our school needs to extend recess by ten minutes. Studies show that students who have more time to run and play focus better in class. Every student should sign our petition to show the principal we care about our health and our learning!"
What is the author's purpose?
Persuade
Inform
Explain
How do you know? (Evidence)
© Inference Investigation Case File 2026
Main Idea Mission Worksheet Main Idea Mission
TOP SECRET CASE FILE
Agent:
Date:
The Mission: Read the field report below. Find 3 key details (clues) that support the main idea. Then, use those clues to infer the Big Picture (the Main Idea).
Report #842
Field Report: The Desert King
"The camel is perfectly built for life in the hot, dry desert. Their thick eyelashes and slit-like nostrils keep out blowing sand. Long, sturdy legs keep their bodies far from the scorching desert ground. Best of all, they can survive for weeks without a single drop of water by living off the fat stored in their humps."
Clue 1
Clue 2
Clue 3
THE BIG PICTURE
What is the inferred Main Idea of this report?
Verify Your Conclusion:
Camels are funny animals with humps.
Camels have amazing bodies for desert life.
Deserts are very hot and sandy places.
Many animals live in the desert.
"No details left behind!" - Investigator Log #1