Reading is an active process requiring us to make meaning along the way. One of the most difficult strategies for students is making inferences and drawing conclusions because it isn't explicitly stated in the text. Below you will find resources to help students learn to infer so they can combine the information that the author has written with that of their own experiences to gain a deeper understanding of the author's message.
Strategies for Teaching Inferences
- On Target Strategy Booklets - A PDF of strategies for grades 4-12 compiled by South Dakota's Education Service Agencies 6 and 7 with support from the South Dakota Department of Education.
- Inferences and Proficient Readers - This 14 page PDF is full of information about how proficient readers, writers, mathematicians, and researchers use inferences. The document has several strategies to use in the classroom.
- What is an Inference? - This website explains, in student-friendly terms, what an inference is and gives examples of them.
- Lesson Plan for K-3 - This lesson from Teacher Vision uses Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears to teach making inferences and drawing conclusions.