What is one method to support students in making inferences while reading?

Teaching students to use evidence from the text to support their conclusions is a highly effective method for helping them make inferences while reading. This approach encourages students to think critically about the text, as they must go beyond simply understanding the words or the main ideas. Instead, they learn to look for clues and details that the author provides, which may not be explicitly stated. This practice helps students recognize how to interpret subtle hints in the narrative, character motivations, and relationship dynamics that lead to deeper comprehension.

Using textual evidence also fosters students' abilities to articulate and justify their thoughts, reinforcing comprehension skills. By backing up their inferences with specific examples from the text, they become more confident readers who can navigate complex narratives and draw logical conclusions based on their readings. Such skills are essential for developing proficient reading abilities and critical thinking, making this method highly effective in an educational setting.