Y 4 - 6 comprehension focus: inference

Written specifically to focus on inference and used by the author, Sleepytime Warrior is a short story with 6 comprehension activities attached to it. Each comprehension activity includes the use of new vocabulary for discussion as well as inference questions and the more straight forward retrieval questions. The extracts vary in length, the first text being quite small, however, the texts increase in size as the story continues. Answers are included.
The full story is available as a separate document, concluding with an end of life scenario which many children may have experienced after losing a pet while others may have no experience of anything like this at all. This could be an additional discussion point where the class could talk about bereavement or loss.
Also included in the file are suggestions for other literacy and art activities that teachers might like to try.
The narrative focuses on a child telling the story of how a new kitten joins the household. The gender of the child is never revealed, which is great for a continued discussion point; this purposeful omission also enables many more children to identify easily with the main character. Children could debate why they think the child may be one gender or another.