Making Predictions
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Basics on the topic Making Predictions
Making Predictions in Texts
Understanding the significance of making predictions in reading is very important for deep comprehension and a richer reading experience. But what does making predictions about a text mean?
Making Predictions Reading Strategy
At its core, predictive reading involves anticipating what comes next in a narrative. It's about using the information already presented in the text, along with your own knowledge and intuition, to make educated guesses about future events, reactions or decisions.
Making predictions definition: A prediction is something that you think will happen based on what you already know. It's a combination of textual clues and personal knowledge. For instance, if a story provides a hint (or clue), we use our own experiences and understanding to anticipate the next events.
Why is Making Predictions Important in Reading?
Making predictions not only fosters deeper engagement with the text but also enhances one's understanding of it. By allowing readers to anticipate events, characters' decisions or plot twists, it becomes a proactive and participatory experience.
How to Make Predictions in Texts
Let’s have a look at a making predictions activity. One effective method for making predictions while reading is to utilise sentence stems. These act as scaffolds and can provide a structure for your thoughts. For instance, using phrases like “I think” and “because” can guide you in formulating predictions.
Consider the following making predictions examples:
Upon seeing Ari with a box of cereal and milk, what do you predict they will do? Using the making predictions sentence stems can lead to a prediction: I think Ari will eat cereal. And as we further see:
It turns out Ari indeed decides to enjoy a bowl of cereal.
Inference and Prediction
Inference and prediction, while distinct skills, share something very similar. Inferences are conclusions drawn from evidence present in the text, while predictions are anticipations of what will occur next based on both the inferences made and the reader's own knowledge.
Mastering the Art of Prediction
Authors, through their narrative techniques, pacing, character development and thematic undertones, provide a plethora of clues to readers. Recognising these cues, whether overt or covert, empowers readers to make more accurate predictions.
Making Predictions in Text – Summary
Predictive reading is an art that requires practise, intuition and a keen sense of observation. By using tools like sentence stems and constantly engaging with diverse texts, readers can refine their predictive skills, transforming reading from a passive activity into an interactive journey.
After watching our making predictions video, for those keen on delving deeper into the world of predictions, have a look at our making predictions worksheet as well as our interactive exercises and further making predictions activities.
Frequently Asked Questions on Making Predictions
Making Predictions exercise
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What does a prediction tell you?
HintsYou use clues from what you already know to make a prediction.
A prediction uses what you already know to help you think about what will happen later.
SolutionA prediction is what you think will happen next based on what you already know.
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What predictions can you make?
HintsClues from a story can help support your predictions.
We can use what we know about those clues to help think about what will happen next.
If it is a sunny day and you are at the beach, what might you do? Is it more likely that you would build a sandcastle or a snowman?
SolutionYou can use what you already know to predict what will happen next.
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What do you predict will happen next?
HintsUse clues from the picture to help you work out where the children may be going next.
You might need a backpack for a few different reasons, but look at what the children are wearing too.
SolutionThe children have their backpacks on and are dressed in school uniform. This helps us to predict that they will be going to school.
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Do you hear a prediction?
HintsUse these helping words to make a prediction.
Here we can see the prediction sentence starts with, I think.
SolutionPredictions usually begin with, I think, and give a reason using, because.
Predictions
- I think the film will be funny because it has a funny actor in it!
- I think the ice cream will be tasty because it has my favourite flavours in it.
- I think the school trip will be fun because the whole class is going.
Not predictions
- Roller coasters are fast.
- Art is the best subject.
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Use the pictures to make a prediction.
HintsZayd packing sunglasses helps you to predict that they are going somewhere sunny.
Which objects above help you to predict that the children are going to do art?
Do the children need this for art?
We usually use these cubes in maths.
SolutionThese pictures help you to predict that the children will do art next.
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Complete the sentences to make a prediction.
HintsHelping words are words in a sentence that help us to make a prediction. Use the picture of Zayd and Ari at the top to help you structure your sentences.
You can make a prediction by beginning a sentence with, "I think".
SolutionYou can use helping words such as, I think, and, because, to make a prediction.
- I think the boy will blow the candles out because it is his birthday.
- I think the dog will get dirty because it is digging in the mud.
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