Inference Activities

Teaching inference is a cornerstone of developing strong reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in our students. Through regular making inferences activities, learners master this vital skill and discover they"re not just reading words on a page—they're discovering deeper meanings, understanding character motivations, and connecting ideas in meaningful ways.

Students need to look beyond surface meanings to understand underlying messages and intentions, whether analysing a piece of writing, interpreting social media posts, or making sense of news articles.

Inference also plays a vital role in social development. As students strengthen their ability to make inferences, they become better at understanding social cues, empathising with others, and navigating complex interpersonal situations. From interpreting body language to understanding subtle emotional responses, inference skills help students build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively.

Teaching inference often presents several hurdles that educators across New Zealand regularly encounter in their classrooms. One of the most frequent challenges is helping students move beyond literal interpretation of texts. Many learners naturally focus on what"s explicitly stated and struggle to identify the subtle clues that lead to deeper understanding.

The abstract nature of inference skills can also pose difficulties. Unlike teaching more concrete skills, such as identifying main ideas or finding specific details, inference requires students to grasp invisible thinking processes. This invisibility often makes it challenging for teachers to demonstrate the thought patterns that lead to successful inferencing, particularly when working with younger learners or those who prefer more structured learning approaches.

Our thoughtfully designed inference activities provide the structure, support, and flexibility needed to help students develop strong inference skills, regardless of their starting point.

Instead of treating inference as an isolated skill taught in dedicated lessons, we encourage you to weave inferring activities naturally throughout your teaching day. 

The frequency of inference practice should also respond to your student"s needs. Some learners might benefit from daily, short inference activities to build confidence, whilst others might need more challenging, less frequent, but more complex tasks. Our resources are designed with this flexibility in mind, allowing you to adjust the frequency and complexity of inference practice to suit your class's unique learning journey. 

Rather than rushing through multiple activities, focus on quality interactions that allow students to deeply engage with texts and images, justify their thinking, and discuss their inferences with peers. This measured approach helps ensure that inference becomes a natural part of how students think and learn rather than just another task to complete.