Inferring is a reading strategy that good readers use to look at a story carefully. 

Good readers infer about something that is implied rather than stated. In a story readers use details to come up with an answer.

Select a book that the students have not read.

The Stranger By: Chris Van Allsburg

• Tell the students that they are going to be detectives and try to figure out who the stranger is.
   

• As you read the book aloud have the students raise their hands and guess who they think the stranger is. They need to use details from the story to support their answer.
   

• As the students make inferences write their guesses on the chart paper. Have the students record the information on their worksheet. Remember a student needs to support their inference with details from the story.
   

• After you have finished reading the book, review all the details and make    your best inference as to who the stranger is.
   

• An example of an inference with details: I believe the stranger is Jack Frost because he doesn’t have a temperature, cold breeze when he is in the room, seasons don’t change until he leaves, comes every fall, and etched in frost on the window he writes "see you next fall".

Inferring Worksheet
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