Making predictions

Making Predictions

A prediction is a guess about what might happen in the future. You probably make predictions all the time!​

What is a prediction??

What can I make predictions about?

You make predictions when you read a story. For example, you may predict what a character will say or do next. As you read, ask yourself, "What is the most likely to happen next?" Sometimes, you can make a prediction about the most important events in a story before you read.

You can look at the title of a story to give you a hint. You can also page through the story to look at the pictures. Pictures help to tell a story. They can help you predict what a story will be about. What prediction could you make about this picture?

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What can I use to help me make a prediction?

Read this passage...

Tracy's family was planning their summer vacation. Her parents had asked her sister, her brother, and her for their vacation ideas. Tracy said she would love to return to Virginia Beach. The family had gone there two years ago, and she could still remember the sand castles she had built with her sister. Her birthday was also in July, and a trip to Virginia Beach would make a nice birthday present. But her mother was saying they had just been there two years ago. Her father was suggesting Washington D.C. Tracy said that Washington D.C., was too hot in the summer. Just the, her father said, "It's time to decide. Let's take a vote."

Poll

What do you predict will happen? Where do you predict they will go?

• Virginia Beach

• Washington D.C.

Up to this point, we don't know what her sister and brother will decide. What clues can help you predict what will happen in the story?

If you guessed right, you can confirm your prediction in the story

​​Confirming

If your prediction does not seem correct, you can revise it as you read. This means you change your prediction.

​​Revising

Let's read the rest of the passage

Tracy's dad handed out five folded slips of paper. The family voted. Tracy's dad read the first vote. It was for Virginia Beach. Then, he read the next vote. It was the same: Virginia Beach. After that, he read the next two votes. They were for Washington D.C. The votes were now even: two to two. Tracy's dad opened the last piece of paper. "We're going to Virginia Beach!" he cried. He seemed so happy about it that Tracy wondered if he had voted for Virginia Beach after all.

As you read...

Make sure you are taking the time to see where the story is going. Think about what you have learned about the characters. Consider the new events in the story. Did you expect them to happen? Then make a prediction. Ask yourself: What will happen next in the story? How will the story end?