Predicting
Prediction occurs before, during and after reading, and enables readers to connect with texts. For skilled readers, this is almost subconscious. To do this requires drawing on prior knowledge and anticipating what lies ahead. Some readers will naturally have more prior knowledge than others, however all readers have some prior knowledge, and the task is to explicitly encourage these readers to draw out their prior knowledge and think openly about the possibilities within a text.
When readers start predicting it has a positive effect on their desire to read on as well as their comprehension. Readers are compelled to engage with the text and curious to prove their predictions. Even if readers' predictions are not accurate, they are able to reflect on the clues they used within the text and their thinking process; a positive reading behaviour that teachers should encourage.
When readers start predicting it has a positive effect on their desire to read on as well as their comprehension. Readers are compelled to engage with the text and curious to prove their predictions. Even if readers' predictions are not accurate, they are able to reflect on the clues they used within the text and their thinking process; a positive reading behaviour that teachers should encourage.
Questions and ideas for the Classroom
- "If you were the character, what would you do/say/think?"
- "What words might we expect to see?" - "What picture do you have in your head?" - "How do you feel? What do you think?" - "What have I read so far?" - "Where is the author leading me?" - "What usually happens in those situations?" - "What are the possibilities?" - "What do you think will most likely happen?" |
'Balloon Farm' is recommended for teaching students in their middle-upper primary years prediction.
The following website contains a list of other books recommended for teaching students prediction of text: http://www.cleverschoolteacher.com/Categories/CS35Predicting/tabid/137/List/1/CategoryID/57/Level/a/Default.aspx |
The following activities enable learners to connect with texts by inviting students to draw on prior knowledge and make predictions...
Further Resources
http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/reading-comprehension-worksheets/making-predictions-worksheets-and-lessons/
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000009#what2
http://www.havefunteaching.com/worksheets/reading-worksheets/predictions-worksheets
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000009#what2
http://www.havefunteaching.com/worksheets/reading-worksheets/predictions-worksheets