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WHAT IS PREDICTING?

Definition: when a reader uses the text to decide what will happen next. Readers can justify, confirm, or deny their predictions by using support from the text. This reading strategy assists in making meaning out of text.

• Readers begin the process of predicting by previewing the text that they are going to read. They activate relevant background knowledge about the topic by looking for:

• – Familiar words, pictures, and topics asking questions may guide student’s predictions about future events, characters, and purpose for the text.

Using Prior Knowledge in Predicting Outcomes While Reading

Predicting outcomes is practiced during the act of reading.  Children make logical guesses about what will happen later in a story based upon their understanding of text-based clues and their prior knowledge.  

Predicting outcomes is similar to using the strategy of inference.  When predicting outcomes and making inferences, children must find stated, text-based clues and integrate them with their prior knowledge.  Predicting outcomes may be thought of as "forward inference" because children examine a stated cause and infer an effect that has not yet been stated.  When making an inference, on the other hand, children analyze a stated effect and must infer its cause.  

Predicting outcomes can be used to monitor reading comprehension.  Once children have made their predictions, they continue reading to verify their hypotheses.   Based on this information, children make new predictions.  This process continues until they reach the end of the selection, at which point they verify and evaluate as many predictions as possible.  

WHY USE PREDICTING?

• After a prediction is made the student now has a purpose for reading; to confirm or disprove their prediction. They are actively engaged in the author’s meaning, which gives them motivation to read. Students now can expand their schema on the topic they are reading about by linking their prior knowledge with new knowledge.

• By making predictions, readers are using the following processes:

– Prior knowledge

– thinking on a literal and inferential level

– adding to their knowledge base

– making connections

– monitoring comprehension

– filling the gaps in the author's writing

Before Reading Readers must make logical predictions based on information from the text and their prior knowledge

 Fictional text structures:

– Characters

– Setting

– Problem/Resolution

– Theme or lesson

 Nonfiction text structures:

– Text headings

– Illustrations

– Maps

– Captions

– Tables

These structures assist students in making logical predictions about their reading. Previewing what they will be reading by discussing text features and using graphic

organizers provides students with visual clues for

predicting.