We have enjoyed — and most importantly learned from — everything we have ever used from The Critical Thinking Co. At first glance they may seem to be a workbook company. These are not ho-hum workbooks! These books will stretch and challenge the learners using them. They offer books that supplement your curriculum and others than stand alone as a curriculum. The subject areas offered are math, language arts, science, history, and critical thinking. The books are listed with their target grade range, but are not strictly labelled by grade. You will not find Science 1st grade for example. You can view samples to determine just what level you need. (My learners that span several grades or are behind especially love this!)
We received a book from the new language arts series Inference Jones. The first level of this series is Inference Jones: Beginning. It is targeted at learners on a 3rd to 4th grade level. Just as the name indicates, it is for developing the ability to infer from written text. From the website:
Develops a depth of analysis that guarantees superior inferential and reading comprehension skills for top grades and higher test scores!
We received a pdf version of this book. I printed off a copy of the first exercise for each of my older daughters (grades 2, 3 and 5 by age). We were first were given a short story to read which I read aloud. The questions were based upon this. Questions looking for truth, unknown due to not enough information or probably true (or false). The questions regarding probably true also asked for any personal knowledge that led the learner to this answer.
This was very easy to implement. I printed each exercise as we needed it. There are 18 exercises; each being 2 pages. After reading the story together, I had the girls complete the questions on their own. We would then discuss their answers as we went over the sheets. There is an answer key at the back of the book. My 5th grade daughter found this to be fun, though too easy. It was right on for the two other girls.
My 2nd and 3rd grade daughters have been reading with increasing speed, but I was worried that they were not fully comprehending what they read. When asking them to narrate what they were reading, they would be a bit vague or mix up some critical part of the what they read. Other than testing them every few chapters, I was unsure how to help them develop better comprehension. These exercises look like they will go a long way towards growing this skill.
The Critical Thinking Co. sells Inference Jones: Beginning for $11.99. The next level, Inference Jones: Level 1 will be out this summer. The Critical Thinking Co. offers products for all ages, from Pre-K to 12th grade +. You can pick up paperback workbooks, e-books or software (depending upon the product). They are reasonably priced (worth every penny!) and easy to use.
