This PLC Guide focuses on inference, or the ability to examine information, generate hypotheses, and draw conclusions that are not explicitly stated. Making inferences is a crucial foundational process that underlies higher-order thinking and 21st century skills. This PLC Guide walks readers through four research-based, classroom-tested strategies that help develop students’ inferential thinking skills:

• Inductive Learning helps students draw inferences by grouping data, labeling the data groups with descriptive titles, and using the groups to generate and test hypotheses.
• Mystery presents students with a puzzling question or situation and has students examine clues that help them explain the mystery.
• Main Idea teaches students how to use inferential thinking to construct main ideas that are not explicitly stated.
• Investigation directs students to use various problem-solving approaches that require inference.