Predictions from Sentences

Purpose: Fluent readers naturally make predictions about a text before reading. This activity guides learners through the process of making predictions prior to reading a text, and also helps learners to activate prior knowledge about the topic.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Materials Needed: A reading text with three sentences from different parts of the text selected.

Procedure:

1. Dictate the first sentence to the learner(s). Repeat several times if necessary.
2. If working with a small group, have learners compare their sentences with a partner’s and make adjustments as necessary. If working with one learner, have them check their sentence as you read it to them again.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the remaining two sentences.
4. If you notice that there are errors in any of the sentences that impact their meaning, write them on the mini-whiteboard so that learners can make necessary corrections. (The focus of this activity is on making predictions, not on grammar or spelling.)
5. Ask the learner(s) how these three sentences are connected. What do they think the reading text will be about? Discuss together, asking learner(s) to explain why they made the predictions that they did.
6. As they move into reading the text, revisit their predictions and discuss whether or not they were accurate.

Expansion: Have the learners write down their predictions in their notebooks. After they finish reading the text, have the learners read their predictions aloud, and decide as a group whose predictions were the closest.