Inferencing Basics for Grades 3/4: Reading Between the Lines

Ever wonder HOW readers figure out what the text doesn't directly say? This class breaks down the thinking process behind making INFERENCES. Students learn a clear, step-by-step approach: What do we see? What do we know? What can we figure out? Starting with pictures and gradually moving to text, students discover exactly how to think their way through making logical inferences.

WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT:

➡️  Your child will learn how to dig deeper into stories, beyond just reading the words on the page.

➡️  I'll break down inferencing into fun, bite-sized steps that won't feel overwhelming.

➡️  Expect lots of interactive activities, discussions, and games that make learning feel like play.

➡️  I'll help your child understand hidden meanings, figure out what characters are really thinking, and make smart connections

WHAT WE WILL COVER:

Each week, we’ll focus on different aspects of inferencing, combining direct instruction with hands-on activities that keep kids engaged and excited about learning.

Week 1: Introduction to Inference Thinking
• Learn the basic formula: What I see + What I know = What I can figure out
• Practice identifying "What I see" in simple pictures
• Share "What I know" about familiar situations
• Begin combining these to make simple inferences
• Use guided questions to walk through each step

Week 2: Building Our Evidence Skills
• Continue with more complex pictures and image sequences
• Practice writing down multiple things we see in one image
• Connect clues across several images
• Begin mixing simple text with images
• Use guided questions to find all important clues

Week 3: Moving from Pictures to Text
• Start with text that has picture support
• Practice finding clues in both pictures and words
• Learn to spot similar clues in text that we found in pictures
• Use our same thinking steps with text evidence
• Build confidence in finding text clues

Week 4: Working with More Text
• Gradually work with longer text passages
• Continue using some picture support when needed
• Practice finding different types of text clues
• Apply our thinking steps more independently
• Use guided questions to check our thinking

Week 5: Putting It All Together
• Work with various formats (pictures, picture+text, text)
• Practice our thinking steps with each format
• Choose evidence carefully to support our inferences
• Check our thinking process along the way
• Share our inference pathway clearly

MY TEACHING STYLE:

Think of me as your child's reading cheerleader! I keep things upbeat and make sure everyone feels good about sharing their ideas. 

In each class, we'll mix things up with:
😍 Quick, fun lessons to introduce new ideas
😍 Lots of chances to talk and share thoughts
😍 Games that make learning feel like playtime
😍 Cool visuals and videos to help explain things

Join the Inferencing Skills Class to help your child become a more confident and skilled reader!  Your child will have lots of chances to chat with me and their classmates. By the end of our time together, I bet your child will look at stories in a whole new light. 

This course is part of the COMPREHENSION AND REASONING SKILLS series, designed to help students develop critical reading skills. Each class in this series focuses on a specific comprehension strategy that helps students become more advanced readers.

Already interested? Check out my ANALYZING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT FOR GRADES 3/4 class, another engaging offering in this series that helps students explore how characters think, feel, and evolve in stories. These classes work together to build a strong foundation of reading comprehension skills for 3rd and 4th-grade students. 

https://outschool.com/classes/analyzing-character-development-grades-34-understanding-motivations-and-growth-Pu6efEZQ

FOLLOW ME for updates on class offerings and to ensure your child is ready for the challenges ahead!