Fact and opinion
A fact is something that can be checked and proved true or false. An opinion is what someone thinks or feels, and other people may disagree.
English · Ages 6–7 · 50 minutes
Making predictions while reading
Children predict what might happen next in a story using clues from the text and what they already know, explain their prediction with because, and check it as they read on.
Success criteria
- I can make a prediction about what will happen next
- I can explain my prediction using a clue
- I can check my prediction and change my mind
Key vocabulary
- predict
- prediction
- clue
- evidence
- because
- check
You will need
- the story The Roof Café printed and folded after each section
- sticky notes
- a large prediction chart with three columns
- mini whiteboards
Curriculum links
- Year 2· England
- Grade 1· United States
Practice sheets
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The Pirate’s Map
The Tiny Seed
The Robin on the Lawn
1.Starter
6 minutesWhat happens next? Describe three quick everyday scenes and ask children to predict:
- "A boy is carrying a very full glass of juice and he trips..."
- "Grey clouds fill the sky and Mum grabs an umbrella..."
- "A dog sees a squirrel in the park..."
"How did you know? Nobody told you the ending." Because juice spills. Because clouds mean rain.
"You used clues and what you already know. That's called predicting."
2.Teach
14 minutesRead The Roof Café aloud in chunks, stopping at three points. Fill in the chart for each stop: I predict..., because..., What happened?
Stop 1: after It hopped along the wall with its beak open.
"What do you think the children will do? Look for clues." Model your own thinking first:
"I predict they'll try to help the sparrow, because the story says it's the hottest week of summer and the bird has its beak open. Maybe it's hot and thirsty."
Stop 2: after They placed the pot in the shade of a plant.
Children predict in pairs, then share. "Will the sparrow come back? What makes you think so?"
Stop 3: after Then it splashed its wings in the water!
"What do you predict will happen the next morning?"
After reading to the end, go back to the chart. "Were our predictions right? Some weren't exactly right, and that's fine. A good prediction makes sense with the clues. It doesn't have to be what the author chose."
