TOS Review: Inference Jones

While both of my children were able to learn to read quite easily, and both truly enjoy it, I do notice that there are times when they don't read for content.  They quickly read the book, not paying attention to words they don't understand, or to actually comprehending and retelling what they've read.

For these reasons, I was very excited to get to review Inference Jones: Beginning as part of The Old Schoolhouse's Crew Review Team.

I received a pdf file of this book to use for review purposes, however, the book is in workbook format and is sold for $11.99 on The Critical Thinking Company's website.  On their website, CTC offers a sample of some of the pages for customers to review before purchasing.


Inference Jones: Beginning is designed for students in the 3rd and 4th grades and is designed to:
"provide 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."  Inference Jones: Beginning -- Website Description

We used the lessons in a group setting, as a read-aloud, with both my 1st and 3rd grader participating successfully.  We liked the easy to read paragraphs, the simple pictures, and the minimal length of time it took us to complete a page.  As a parent, I appreciated the content of the paragraphs.  From being on time, to practice, to having a good attitude, many were concepts we're working on at home.  To have that reinforced in their reading was like an extra bonus!  


We also really liked the questions that were asked of the kids, as they were more in depth than what I would have come up with on my own.  I found that the children really stopped to think about what they had read before answering the questions.  I found that I was stopping to think more about what we'd read than I might have done previously, as well!   


Inference Jones required my children to think about the feelings, emotions, ideas, and concepts that the author was trying to convey.  Using their life experiences, personal knowledge, and social and cultural customs, they were able to infer what they believed the author meant.  And, by inferring the meaning of the text, a greater comprehension of the text was obtained.  I believe it will be a very successful way to grow a confident, comprehending, superior readers! 


We were very happy with the Inference Jones: Beginning workbook and will definitely be using it for part of our Reading curriculum next year -- for BOTH kiddos!


FCC Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Review Crew, I received the Inference Jones: Beginning pdf workbook at no charge to me in exchange for my honest opinion about the product.  All opinions voiced herein are strictly mine.