What Happens Next in the Story?
Predicting means making a smart guess about what will happen next. Good readers think ahead. You use the pictures and the words you've read so far to guess what comes next — that's predicting.
Worked examples
Story so far: 'Pip the puppy saw a big puddle. He ran towards it.' What will probably happen next?
Pip is a puppy running at a puddle — most puppies love splashing in water, so the smart guess is he'll jump in and get muddy.
Answer: Pip will jump in the puddle and get wet
Story so far: 'Anna held the kite. The wind started to blow harder.' What will probably happen next?
When there is strong wind and someone is holding a kite, the kite usually flies up — that's a good prediction.
Answer: The kite will fly up into the sky
Tips
- •Use clues from the words AND the pictures.
- •Think: 'What usually happens in real life?'
- •There can be more than one good prediction — but some guesses make more sense than others.
- •When you finish the story, check: was your prediction right?
Key words
predictguessnextcluehappen