How can parents and teachers help struggling readers make inferences from text?

Helping beginning readers make inferences from text is an important skill that can improve their comprehension and critical thinking abilities. One effective strategy is to explicitly teach the skill of making inferences by modeling the process for students. This can involve using think-alouds to demonstrate how to use clues from the text and background knowledge to make predictions and draw inferences about what might happen next in the story.

Another effective approach is to use graphic organizers to help students organize their thinking and identify key details and ideas in the text. This can include using story maps, character maps, and other visual tools to help students visualize the relationships between different parts of the text and make connections between ideas.

Encouraging students to ask questions and challenge assumptions about the text can also help to deepen their understanding and improve their ability to make inferences. Teachers can provide opportunities for students to engage in discussions and debates about the text, and encourage them to share their ideas and perspectives with others.

Providing opportunities for students to engage in independent reading can also help to improve their ability to make inferences from text. By reading a variety of texts and genres, students can develop a wider range of background knowledge and improve their ability to make connections between different parts of the text.

Finally, teachers can use a variety of assessment tools to monitor students' progress in making inferences. This can include assessments such as open-ended questions, graphic organizers, and writing prompts that require students to use evidence from the text to support their inferences. Teachers can also use self-reflection and peer review activities to help students reflect on their own learning and identify areas for improvement.

In conclusion, helping beginning readers make inferences from text requires a multi-faceted approach that involves explicit instruction, the use of graphic organizers, encouraging student questions and discussions, independent reading, and ongoing assessment and feedback. By using these strategies, teachers can help beginning readers to develop critical thinking skills, deepen their understanding of texts, and improve their ability to make inferences based on evidence from the text.