Predicting What Happens Next

When you read a story, you can stop and think, "What will happen next?" This is called predicting what happens next. You look at pictures, the title, and small details in the story to make a smart guess.

Predicting what happens next is not the same as guessing at random. You use real clues from the story to help you. Then you keep reading to see if your guess was right!

A prediction is a guess about the future part of a story. You make this guess using clues you already see, like pictures and words on the page.

Say you are reading a story and you see a picture of a dog digging a hole in the yard. You can predict, "The dog will find a bone!" You are using the picture as a clue.

As you read, look for small details that give hints. A detail could be an object, like an umbrella on a sunny day, or a feeling, like a character who looks worried.

If a character drops an ice cream cone, you might predict the character will feel sad or will want a new one. Story details like this help you guess what comes next, one page at a time.

The title of the story can help too. If a book is called "The Lost Puppy," you can predict that somewhere in the story, someone will look for the puppy.

After you make a prediction, keep reading! Turn the page and see what really happens. Sometimes your guess is correct. Sometimes the story surprises you.

Both are okay. Checking your prediction helps you pay close attention to the story and understand it better.

Prediction: A prediction is a guess about what will happen next in a story, based on clues.

Story details: Story details are small facts you notice while reading, like an object, a place, or how a character feels.

Clue: A clue is a hint that helps you guess what will happen. Clues can be in pictures, titles, or words.

Character: A character is a person or animal in the story who does things and has feelings.

Title: The title is the name of the story. It can give hints about what will happen.

Checking: Checking means reading on to see if your prediction matched what really happened.

Try this with any story. Stop in the middle of a page and cover the rest with your hand. Look at the picture and think about the story details so far. Say out loud what you think will happen next.

Then take your hand away and keep reading. Did your prediction match the story? There is no wrong guess, as long as you use real clues to think it through.

Related lessons

• Make Predictions Regarding Unfamiliar Texts