Explicit Instruction in Predicting Before, During, and After Reading:
We have been working on monitoring and clarifying as we read. We have also worked on making inferences based on what we know and clues in the text. Good readers use these strategies on a regular basis to help them understand what they read, engage with the text, remember what they read, and enjoy reading more.
Another important strategy that good readers use is prediction. You probably have been making predictions since you were in first grade. However, you probably mostly focused on making predictions before you read. Good readers not only make predictions before they read, they also monitor the predictions AS they read or DURING reading. While they read, they revisit their predictions “in their heads”, asking questions like: “Am I right?”, “Did what I predicted happen?” or “Do I want to change my prediction?”
They also revisit their predictions AFTER reading and ask some of those same questions: “Was I right?”, “Was what I predicted what really happened?” and “Why didn’t what I predicted happen”?
We will be working on making, monitoring, and revising predictions this week to improve our understanding of what we read.
Example for Guided Practice:
Melissa’s twelfth birthday was coming up in two weeks. Melissa’s mother was busy planning Melissa’s birthday party. Two years ago, Melissa had taken several friends roller skating for her birthday. They had a great time and Melissa had begged to go roller skating again sometime.
** Predict what Melissa’s mother might be planning for her birthday party then read on:
Last year for Melissa’s birthday they had gone out to eat at a fancy restaurant and to a play at the Orpheum Theatre. Melissa and her friends had really enjoyed that. “Mama Mia” was going to be playing in two weeks at the Orpheum.
** Revisit your prediction. Do you want to change it? Why or why not? Then read on:
Recently Melissa had talked about how much fun she had when a local magician had visited her school. He told good jokes and did fun and exciting magic tricks. Melissa had brought home a flier about the magician and he was reasonably priced.
** Revisit your prediction. Do you want to revise it? Why or why not? Then read on:
Melissa’s mother called the Orpheum and tickets for “Mama Mia” were sold out. Then, last week one of Melissa’s friends had a roller skating party for her birthday. So Melissa’s mother called the magician and was able to “book” him for the party at a good price. She felt confident that Melissa and her friends would have a great time at the birthday party. Melissa’s mom decided to keep the birthday plans a secret so Melissa would be surprised. That afternoon after school Melissa came home and announced that she wanted to have a boy/girl party at her house with a DJ for her birthday.
** Revisit your prediction. Do you want to revise it? Do you have any other predictions? Then read on:
Melissa’s mother decided to keep the magician but to have him perform from 7:00 until 8:00. Then Melissa and her friends could listen to music and dance from 8:00 until 10:30. Melissa’s mother was certain the birthday party would be a success!
** Revisit your prediction. Were you correct? What did the text say to confirm or not confirm your prediction? Do you want to make any other predictions?