A key component of reading comprehension; inferences, are conclusions that are drawn by combining clues in the text and schema (what you already know). This is a concept that is often taken for granted by experienced readers, but is a critical reading strategy deficiency for students struggling with reading comprehension. This tool helps students practice identifying, understanding and finally drawing inferences as they practice reading books or passages.

HOW TO USE: Give this tool to students during guided reading sessions. At first, help the student(s) to identify key events, feelings or character transitions by asking them specific questions such as “what is the character feeling”. Then ask students to use this tool to write down clues in the text (ex. it is raining outside and Susan is looking out of the window), then list associated schema (when it is raining outside, I cannot go out and play). Finally ask students to draw an inference for each clue and schema set (ex. Susan may be feeling sad or unhappy because it is raining outside and I know that when it is raining outside it means I cannot plan, which makes me sad). With practice in writing out inferences, students will eventually be able to make these connections naturally while reading passages or books.