Grade(s): 3-4
Pages: 48, perforated

Inference Jones provides short, fun, and easy-to-use activities that improve critical reading and higher order thinking by developing the student’s ability to draw inferences from written text. Research shows inferential reasoning is a prerequisite component to superior reading comprehension. The National Foundation for Educational Research concluded that "the ability to draw inferences predetermines reading skills: that is, poor inferential reasoning causes poor comprehension and not vice versa."

We all make inferences in our daily lives (e.g. we naturally think a child is happy because we see them laughing). But how does this ability apply to written communication? When we read a written passage, we’re actually reading a representation of the author’s thoughts and ideas, because the written word does not convey a meaning in and of itself. Readers must construct the meaning through interpretation.

The reader’s interpretation is the result of inferential analysis which includes drawing from personal knowledge and experiences, social values, and cultural conventions. The interpretation connects a meaning to the words, providing the reader with an understanding of the character’s actions, circumstances, or events in the story.

Inference Jones: Beginning has a readability level appropriate for grades 3-4 but can also be used as a remedial resource for older students (grades 5-12+).

Inference Jones: Beginning can also be used as a read aloud with younger children. Read the stories and invite your child to make predictions. Have them explain how they came to their particular interpretation and discuss alternatives. The skills you and they learn will generalize to other reading.

Table of Contents:

• About the Author
• Sample Activity
• Introduction
• Teaching Suggestions
• Skills for Reading Comprehension/Literary Analysis
• Exercises
• Answers

Reviews:
"The exercises are short enough to prevent frustration, and clear enough that it’s easy for a teacher to evaluate success. So do I recommend? Wholeheartedly!" -Angela, Florida

"Inference Jones books are definitely fun--and they can be used in a variety of ways!" -Homeschool.com

"I was pleased to find my daughter starting to understand the idea of inference in writing. After 6 lessons I began to see the results showing up in her narrations." -Taunya, Oregon

"Both of my sons are concrete thinkers. The questions from Inference Jones draw out the student and really teach the kids to read between the lines. Would I recommend this book? Without a doubt...YES!!!" -Renita, Ohio

"As a parent, I appreciated the content of the paragraphs. From being on time, to practice, to having a good attitude, many concepts we’re working on at home. To have that reinforced in their reading was like an extra bonus! Inference Jones required my children to think about feelings, emotions, ideas, and concepts that the author was trying to convey. We were very happy with the Inference Jones workbook and will definitely be using it for a part of our reading curriculum next year--for both kiddos!" -Annie, Florida

"I would highly recommend this book. I liked that my kids had to talk out why they thought their answers were correct. My son has always been a good reader, but he benefitted from using Inference Jones as much as my daughter. I also noticed a definite improvement in my daughter’s reading skills using this book. I was delighted when she sat down one day, on her own, and did about 8 lessons all in one sitting. This is unheard of for her who generally does not like ‘book work’" -Jill, New Mexico

"My 8-year-old is at about a 4th grade level in reading, grammar and comprehension and she LOVED this." -Alin, New Jersey

"My son and I recommend it wholeheartedly!" -Brandy, Arizona

"I’m thrilled that my daughter has enjoyed it so much, glad she can work on it independently and very pleased with the precise thinking skills that it helps to form." -Jennifer, Canada

"I thought the book was easy to use, and because the stories and pages were short and easy to complete I had no complaining from the kids." -Beth, West Virginia