Inferencing: How to Foster Critical Thinking in the Classroom.
Inferencing is a critical reading and thinking skill that enables students to make connections and draw conclusions based on what they have read. It enables students to draw conclusions based on evidence in a text. To help students develop this important skill, teachers can employ a variety of strategies, including:
Show-and-Tell: Teachers can show students how to make inferences by modeling the process. Start by selecting a text passage and ask students to predict what might happen next based on what they have read. Then, demonstrate how to use textual evidence to support their predictions.
Picture It: Using visual aids, such as illustrations or graphic organizers, can help students make connections and draw inferences. For example, creating a concept map or mind map can help students see the relationships between different elements in a text.
Talk It Out: Encourage students to discuss their inferences with their classmates. Group discussions provide an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives and build on each other's ideas.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Offer students opportunities to practice making inferences with a variety of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and multimedia. As they gain experience, they will become more confident and proficient in making inferences.
Get Personal: Ask students to connect the text to their own experiences and background knowledge. For example, "What does this character's actions remind you of?" or "Have you ever experienced something similar to this?" Encouraging students to personalize the text can make the material more meaningful and engaging.
Make It Relevant: Choose texts that are relevant to students' lives and interests. When students can relate to the material, they are more likely to be motivated to make inferences and connect with the text on a deeper level.
By incorporating these strategies into their instruction, teachers can help students develop the important skill of inferencing and become more thoughtful, engaged readers.
