Activity Objective

The goal of Let's Make Predictions: Building Reading Comprehension is to model and promote students use of the comprehension strategy, making predictions, to improve their understanding of what they read.

What You Need

Prep Time:

10 minutes
- Select a story to read aloud
- Gather student materials
- Prepare Making Predictions chart

Task Time:

2, 30-40 minute sessions

Session 1:
- Teacher reads story aloud
- Students orally share predictions
- Teacher and students brainstorm thinking stems
- Teacher models making a prediction
- Students independently make predictions

Session 2:
- Teacher rereads entire story aloud
- Students discuss whether or not their predictions were correct

Materials Required:

Teacher:
- Story to read aloud
- Chart paper
- Markers

Students:
- Blank paper (1 per student)
- Pencils
- Coloring materials

What You Do

Teacher Role:

Direct instruction:
- while reading story

Facilitator:
- while students share predictions and brainstorm thinking stems

Modeling:
- while showing how to make a prediction

Supporter:
- while students make predictions independently

Student Grouping:

Whole class:
- during read aloud, brainstorming sessions, teacher modeling of how to make a prediction and student discussion of predictions

Individual:
- when students make predictions independently

Assessment Ideas:

- Record anecdotal comments on students' predictions and inform them on 1 or 2 ways that they can improve their predictions for next time
   a.  For example: Using a sentence starter from the Making Predictions chart

- Use a checklist to track students' participation as well as their understanding of making predictions
   a.  For example: Prediction connects to given story, Student makes an accurate prediction, Student supports prediction using 1 piece of evidence from the story

Quick Tips

Activity Extensions:

- Compile students' predictions and create a class book

- Display the Making Predictions chart at the reading area and have students use the chart to help them make predictions about their books during independent reading

- Have students make predictions after looking at the cover of a book or following a picture walk

- Share 8-10 words from a story and have the students predict what they think the story will be about

Additional Comments:

- Predictions refer to making a guess or an inference about what is going to happen. Emphasize the importance of using information from the story as evidence to support predictions. Explicitly show your students how to go back into the text to find information that supports why you think your prediction could be true.

- Have your students think like detectives when they make predictions. Using magnifying glasses as props while making predictions is a fun and motivating way for students to become actively engaged.

- Encourage students to think about how they make predictions everyday in their own lives. You may want to create a list of how your students make predictions throughout the day. For example: Just before lunch time, a student might wonder or predict what they will eat. Helping students make connections to personal experiences aids their understanding of how to apply the comprehension strategy to what they are reading.

- As students become more familiar with making predictions have them begin to ask questions about different characteristics of the text. Encouraging students to ask questions while they read builds comprehension skills and fosters critical thinking.

Other Adaptations/Modifications:

- Provide students with an individual copy of the Making Predictions chart