Inferring

Inferencing isn't so bad if you keep the meaning simple for them: It's when the reader has to be a detective and figure out things that the author doesn't tell us. (It could be the meaning of an unknown word, the author's message, how a character is feeling, or just the overall events of a book)

A lot of Kevin Henkes books are good for inferring characters feelings. Also, Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch, is good for that. Before reading them aloud, just go through and look for places where the character does somehting or says something, but the author doesn't come right out and tell how they are feeling.

I love the book The Other Side by Woodson for inferring the author's message. A lot of Dr. Seuss ones are good for this too-- like the Sneetches, the Grinch, the Lorax. Again, Kevin Henkes books work too.

For inferring what's going on in a book-- or sometimes I call it inferring to piece together a puzzle-- I LOVE Grandfather Twilight. I was just looking on Amazon yesterday, and you can buy it used there. It is SOOOOO worth it and your kindergartners would love it. I always read it aloud 3 or 4 times with no talking or commenting (it's very short). They are mesmerized. Then we start from the beginning and comment on things we notice that are giving us clues to the story. We infer the whole way through to make meaning for ourselves.

Inferencing is my favorite strategy to teach, and once the kids start to realize how much authors don't say, they'll be inferring all over the place!!