Abstract of

The Observation/Inference Chart: Improving Students' Abilities to Make Inferences While Reading Nontraditional Texts

Jeffery D. Nokes

The Observation/Inference (OI) Chart is a strategy that can help students learn to make observations and inferences when reading nontraditional texts such as artifacts, paintings or movies. Nontraditional texts can be highly engaging and provide authentic thinking experiences for students, but they can also be difficult to comprehend. Teachers can use the OI Chart to help students think deeply about texts and to become more metacognitive. The OI Chart gives teachers a framework for providing visible strategy instruction as they teach about, model, and give opportunities for students to practice observing and using those observations to make inferences. Included are two examples of powerful history lessons that use OI Charts to help students read a painting and a movie.

Abstract from Nokes, J.D. (2008, April). The Observation/Inference Chart: Improving Students' Abilities to Make Inferences While Reading Nontraditional Texts. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 51(7), 538–546. doi: 10.1598/JAAL.51.7.2