Making Predictions When Reading

What is a prediction?

A prediction is a smart guess about what happens next in a story. 🔮 Good readers think ahead and guess what is coming.

Use the clues 🔎

You do not guess for no reason. You use clues. Clues are in the words and the pictures.

Read this:

Maya puts on her boots. She grabs her umbrella. She looks at the dark sky. 🌧️☂️

What do you think happens next? The clues say it will rain. That is a great prediction!

Try a prediction

Read this little story:

Leo blows up a big balloon. He blows and blows. The balloon gets bigger and bigger... 🎈

What do you think happens next?

• The balloon will pop! 💥

The clues (bigger and bigger) help you guess. Keep reading to find out!

Right or wrong is okay 👍

Sometimes your guess is right. Sometimes it is wrong. Both are okay! A prediction is just a smart guess. The fun part is reading on to check.

Clue	A good prediction
Ben holds a kite on a windy day 🪁	The kite will fly
The cake is in the hot oven 🍰	The cake will bake
The dog hears a knock 🐶	The dog will bark

Keep reading to check 📖

After you guess, keep reading. The story will tell you if you were right. Then you can make a new prediction!

Play and practise

Play the matching game to pair each clue with a good prediction. Then flip the flashcards to remember how to make smart guesses.

Keep going

Try these next:

• Start here: Reading Comprehension Basics
• Find the big idea: Finding the Main Idea
• Story order: Story Sequencing: Beginning, Middle, End

Now you can guess what happens next. Super reading! 🌟