Making predictions

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

Comprehension means understanding.

The answers to some questions are easy to find,

while the answers to others are more difficult to work out.

The best way to understand a text is to ask yourself questions

as you read it.

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

There’s a saying that you “shouldn’t judge a book by its cover”, but people often buy books

because they simply look like they’ll be good to read.

Read me! I’m not as boring as I

look.

The first predictions we make about a book are based on its cover.

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

What predictions can you make about this book, based on its title and cover illustration?

It’s about a dog.

The dog’s name is Titus.

Titus is a champion jumper.

Titus takes part in a competition.

It’s a funny story.

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

Once you start reading a book, you can draw on what you already know about the characters and

situations to predict what will happen next in the story.Imagine that Ryan has shown throughout a story that he doesn’t like taking chances. What is he most likely to do in a skateboarding competition when faced with this choice?• He can be sure of coming in the top 10 by

performing tricks he is familiar with or• He could try some radical new moves and

win the competition … or crash out!

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

From what we know of Ryan’s character, you could predict that he will not take chances and

only perform the tricks he is familiar with.

But as you read, you might find that Ryan acts “out of character” and decides to try his radical new moves. This adds a new element to Ryan’s character and forces us to change our opinion of him.

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

One way of tracking a character’s development is by recording how you think they will act, and comparing

it to how they do act. Also record your feelings and opinions about their behaviour.

Right or wrong?Ryan surprised me! He is going to take the risk after all. He is a more complex and interesting character than I first thought.

Predictions about Ryan: page 26.Ryan doesn’t like taking chances. I think he will choose the safe option.

Comprehension Toolkit

Making predictions

The End