Inferring in the Elementary Classroom

The Sweetest Fig is about a man who makes an unwise choice not to believe in the special figs. This book leaves you to make inferences until the very last page. It makes a great inferencing book because so much is left up to the reader to put together.

Teammates is an awesome historical book about a rough time in American history. I love that this book appeals to the boys in my class as well.
This provides a perfect example of how to make inferences about characters in the book and proving them with details.

How Many Days to America is another great historical tale that leads readers to put the whole picture together. A family’s journey to a new land is the perfect background for students to infer about characters, setting, and plot.

Fireflies is such a descriptive book. It leaves the reader deciding important information about the boy’s decision and what will happen in the future. I think the illustrations really give this book a leg up and help the reader understand better the story.

You could apply so many skills to this amazing traditional tale. Theme is extremely important but is easily tied in with the plot where the reader must infer what happened to the people. Although this book appears to be less “modern” I do think it has great value especially in lessons for bigger kids – upper elementary.

All 5 of these stories are in a Inferring QR Listening Center pack in my store or you can read on Youtube. They come with rigorous test prep questions.

I love to start the year with inferring as we need this skill with every book we read on our own or with the class. Knowing what this big word means also helps students feel more confident when it comes to testing time.

Inferring – QR Listening Center and Work Mats

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I also have a Drawing Conclusions Listening Center available. All the research I found showed that inferencing and drawing conclusions were very similar both not proved in text but what a reader decides. I do believe the language of “what conclusion can you draw?” or “What conclusion can be made?” are important for students to be exposed to as well. I use them almost interchangeably because of how close they are and students only need them to help break apart questions.