Predicting In Texts
As teachers we predict things about our students all the time! We can predict how they will react to a certain book, when some of them will need a movement break, what they need to help them complete a science activity, which holiday game is most likely to over excite them, and so much more. We can predict these things because we know their character- their likes dislikes and when we combine that with our experiences with them, we can make pretty accurate predictions about their behavior!
It is more challenging to make predictions within a text. There is less time and opportunity to get to know the characters but together, we can do it! Presley the Predictor is a fortune teller who comes to visit my classroom and teaches us the secret ways of seeing the future!
During my shared reading time, I use Comprehension Crew characters to model reading strategies for my students. Then we read interactively as they practice implementing the strategies themselves. Read more about that below!
Presley The Predictor
Presley The Predictor is a fortune teller who is excellent at collecting information to make thoughtful predictions! He loves to teach students how to do this too! An important part of Presley’s method is that he teaches students to use information from the text combined with their experiences to make their prediction. Predicting uses aspects of making connections and inferences so I usually teach those skills first! The best way to teach making predictions students this is to model it for them. Get out that crystal ball!
What is the Comprehension Crew?
Comprehension Crew is a group of characters each representing an essential reading skill. Each character has a profession, song, gesture, and prop that provide a concrete representation of the reading skill. These characters are used to model and reinforce each skill both in life and in text. The character helps students to understand, remember, and intentionally apply skills as they are reading.
Things You Can Predict
- how someone will feel because of an event
- what someone will say/ think
- an event that will happen
- where an event will take place
- a problem that could occur
- how the problem could be solved
- a decision a someone will make
Practicing With Pictures
In my Presley The Predictor resource pack, there are task cards for students to practice predicting. There are photograph task cards and short paragraphs on cards to practice. The photographs were intentionally chosen because students should be somewhat familiar with each experience to be able to incorporate their experience/ knowledge in the prediction making. It is important for students to practice predicting on a small scale to gain understanding and confidence in the skill. Often an entire text can be overwhelming, especially for younger students! Differentiated passages on worksheets with scaffolded graphic organizers and questions are also included to help your students break down how to make a prediction!
Click here to see the mentor texts I use to make predictions.
