Inference Ideas

Comprehension Strategies

Inference Mini-lesson Ideas

Magnifying Glass: Have students make a detective’s magnifying glass out of pipe cleaners. Then have them use the detective magnifying glass while they are looking for clues when reading the text. I tell students that making an inference is like finding clues. We take what we know and clues given to us by the author to make inferences as we read.

Emotions: Make up cards with clipart that show a variety of emotions. Give each student a card and take turns acting out the emotions (like charades). The other students have to guess what emotion based on the clues.

Character Emotions: Students have to write about the character’s emotions without actually stating what it is; only giving clues. Have students switch and they have to try and infer what the other student wrote.