mamamin Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any advice/experiences with helping children with inferential reading skills. My 8 yr. old DD is fabulous at literal comprehension so no problems there, and she reads above grade level, but struggles with inferring the not so obvious and underlying messages or themes to a story. She has a hard time imaging why a character might refrain from an activity in the future because of an experience they had in a story for example. Or explaining why two characters had such different reactions to a situation. She can only retell the surface answer, but struggles to see the deeper conflicts or hidden messages the author is trying to tell. Should I worry? is there something I could do to strengthen this area? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I would not worry. I would let her read, lots and lots of god books, and I also would read aloud or let her listen to audiobooks that have more complex language and storyline and would be above her reading level. The more books she reads or listens to while growing up and maturing, the easier it will be for her to grasp the undercurrents, the unspoken. In my experience, this can be achieved without direct instruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Making inferences is often hard for younger students. I do have my kids work through some targeted skill reading comp workbooks for practice in answering those kinds of questions on standardized tests. But mostly I think it's something that becomes easier with maturity. My 11 y.o. is much better at "reading between the lines" now than her 8 y.o. brother and how she was at age 8. DS has used the "Inference Jones" series from Critical Thinking Press. This is the first book: http://www.criticalthinking.com/inference-jones-beginning.html DD used the Curriculum Associates "Focus on Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences" workbooks. It appears that RR no longer carries those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaughingCat Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I have seen the suggestion to start with pictures - making the inference that the wind is blowing because of the way a curtain is flying back for instance. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick has great pictures for this IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Jacob's Ladder may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 We like Inference Jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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