When you read a story, sometimes you can guess what is going to happen next. Guessing what is going to happen next is called making a prediction. Making a prediction is a good way to help you understand what you read. A prediction must make sense. You can use the details in the story and your own experiences to help you make a prediction. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions. Betsy and Billy were in a daze as they walked out through their front door. The large truck was parked in front of the house. The men were closing the doors on the back of the truck. Their parents were speaking with the neighbors. Betsy shivered when she saw her mom wipe her eyes with a tissue. Betsy stood very close to Billy. All of their friends were in the front yard waiting for them. It was the strangest day. They had lived in the same city, in the same house, for twelve years. This was going to be a very hard thing to do. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS: 1. What do you think is happening in this story? 2. How do you think Betsy and Billy feel about what is happening? 3. What clues in the story made you think this about Betsy and Billy? 1
READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. REMEMBER TO USE THE STORY CLUES AND YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES TO MAKE PREDICTIONS. Shelby Grace Thomas was waiting patiently behind the curtain on the side of the stage. She watched the contestant in front of her walk to the microphone. The contestant spoke very quietly and her voice was shaking. Shelby almost panicked to see the other girl seem so afraid. Shelby felt her eyes fill with warm tears. Then, Shelby took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and smiled. Shelby knew she would remember exactly to say when it was her turn. She had practiced her speech for weeks. 1. Where was Shelby? 2. What happened to Shelby when she saw the contestant in front of her panic? 3. What do you think happened when Shelby spoke on stage? 2
It was an exciting day at Barber Elementary School. Everyone was busy making posters and decorating cars and floats. Students were helping to make the posters and decorate the cars. Some students had been dismissed early to dress for the big event. Everyone had to be ready by four o clock. In addition to the Barber School band, several other bands from nearby towns were also coming that afternoon. The big game would begin at 8:00 p.m. 1. What was everyone preparing for at Barber Elementary School? 2. What clues in the story made you think this? 3. What experiences have you had that helped you understand what was happening? 3
DETAILS IN THE STORY + YOUR EXPERIENCES = PREDICTIONS! Matthew and Brent were thrilled to wake up early! It was a cool Saturday morning in October. They had been looking forward to this day for months. Their team had worked so hard. Matthew and Brent both jumped out of their beds and ran downstairs for a good breakfast. They ate as fast as possible and ran back upstairs to put on their uniforms. The game would begin at ten o clock that morning. After dressing in their uniforms and cleats, the boys ran downstairs with their helmets in hand. It was time to go do what they had worked so hard for. The team really wanted that trophy! 1. Why were Matthew and Brent thrilled to wake up? 2. What clues in the story told you they were excited? 3. What do you think will happen next? 4
Chan was so nervous. His parents were taking him to his new school in their new city. He had met a few people when his family moved into their new home. However, the people Chan had met in his new neighborhood would not be at his new school. They went to different schools. Chan s parents knew he was shy. They arrived at the school at 9:00 a.m. Students were already in class and the hallways were quiet. Chan took a deep breath as he opened the door to his new homeroom class. To his surprise, there was John, a boy he had made friends with at the skating rink. 1. Why do you think Chan was nervous? 2. Why do you think Chan took a deep breath before he entered his new homeroom class? 3. What do you think happened after Chan saw John in the classroom? 5
ANSWER PAGE PAGE 1: 1. The family is moving. 2. Maybe they feel sad or frightened 3. They were in a daze. They saw their mom cry. Betsy was standing very close to Billy. PAGE 2: 1. She was participating in a pageant or program. 2. She became frightened for a moment. 3. She was confident and knew her speech. PAGE 3: 1. It s a parade before a big sports game. 2. They were making posters, decorating cars and floats. Some students had been dismissed early to dress. Several bands were coming from nearby towns. 3. answers will vary PAGE 4: 1. They were playing an exciting football game. 2. They woke up early. They ate breakfast and dressed in a hurry. 3. They will play the game. Additional answers will vary. PAGE 5: 1. He was going to a new school and did not know anyone. 2. He was trying to remain calm. 3. He was relieved. Additional answers will vary. 6