You will learn
- Say what a prediction is.
- Use clues to predict.
- Give a reason for a prediction.
- Check a prediction.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- A prediction is a smart guess.
- Use clues from the text and what you know.
- Say because.
- Check if you were right.
Words to know
guess what will happen
a hint from the text or pictures
proof from the text
see if it came true
1. Discover: Dark clouds
Kofi looks up. Dark clouds cover the sky. The wind begins to blow. Birds fly home. Kofi’s mum calls, “Bring in the washing!”
Think: What do you think will happen next?
2. Understand: Predicting
Idea 1: A smart guess
To predict is to guess what will happen using clues and what you already know.
Idea 2: Use evidence
Clues: dark clouds, wind, birds going home. I predict it will rain because of the dark clouds.
Idea 3: Check it
Read on and check if you were right. If not, change your prediction. That is fine!
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Predict
Dark clouds and wind. What next?
- Think about weather.
Answer: It will rain.
Example 2 (We do it together): Reason
Why?
- Use because.
Answer: because of the dark clouds and wind
Example 3 (You try): Check
What if it does not rain?
Show the steps and answer
- Change your idea.
Answer: think again
Did you know?
Good readers predict all the time while they read.
Why this matters
Predicting keeps you interested and helps you understand.
4. Explore: Predict and check
Predict then check.
- Read the title.
- Make a prediction.
- Read on.
- Check it.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can predict and check.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- I predict that ___.
- I think this because ___.
- The clues are ___.
- My prediction was ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a prediction?
a smart guess
Question 2. What clues in the dark cloud story?
dark clouds, wind, birds
Question 3. What do you do after reading on?
check
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- To guess what will happen is to ___.
- A hint is a ___.
- Proof is ___.
- We ___ our prediction as we read.
- We say ___ to give a reason.
Level 2: Grow
- Predict: A boy picks up a map and a bag.
- Predict: The sky is dark and windy.
- Predict: A cat sees a mouse.
Level 3: Stretch
- Why use clues?
- Is a wrong prediction bad?
- When do we check?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Read a title and predict the story. Check it.
Show a sample answer
my prediction
Another one. Write a prediction with a reason.
Show a sample answer
I predict… because…
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Use clues.
Fix: Read on and check.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say what a prediction is.
- I can use clues.
- I can give a reason.
- I can check my prediction.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- A prediction is a smart guess.
- Use clues.
- Give a reason.
- Check it.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Simple inferences. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is a prediction? [1 mark]
- Name two clues in the dark cloud story. [2 marks]
- Predict and give a reason for: A boy packs a bag. [2 marks]
- What do you do after reading on? [1 mark]
- Explain how to make a prediction. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a smart guess about what will happen [1]
- dark clouds [1]; wind/birds [1]
- prediction [1]; reason [1]
- check your prediction [1]
- use clues [1]; give a reason [1]; check it [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- To guess what will happen is to ___.
- A hint is a ___.
- Proof is ___.
- We ___ our prediction.
- We say ___ for a reason.
- True or false: predictions use clues.
- True or false: wrong predictions are bad.
- Predict: dark clouds.
- Predict: a packed bag.
- Write a prediction with a reason.
Homework
Predict what happens in a story and check it.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. To guess what will happen is to ___. | predict | 1 |
| 2. A hint is a ___. | clue | 1 |
| 3. Proof is ___. | evidence | 1 |
| 4. We ___ our prediction. | check | 1 |
| 5. We say ___ for a reason. | because | 1 |
| 6. True or false: predictions use clues. | true | 1 |
| 7. True or false: wrong predictions are bad. | false | 1 |
| 8. Predict: dark clouds. | rain | 1 |
| 9. Predict: a packed bag. | a trip | 1 |
| 10. Write a prediction with a reason. | I predict… because… | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 predict; 2 clue; 3 evidence; 4 check; 5 because. Level 2: 1 he is going on a trip; 2 rain; 3 the cat will chase it. Level 3: 1 makes a good guess; 2 no, we learn; 3 while reading on.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say what a prediction is | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Use clues to predict | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Give a reason for a prediction | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Check a prediction | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Guessing without clues. Use clues.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use picture clues.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns to predict and check. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Ask: What do you think happens next?
- Ask why.
- Praise predicting.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say what a prediction is; use clues to predict; give a reason for a prediction; check a prediction.
Prerequisite knowledge. Character actions and motivations.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Model predicting.
Explanation (10 min). Teach clues and checking.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise.
Independent activity (10 min). Reflect.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What do you think happens next? Why?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use picture clues. Extension. Predict outcomes in longer texts.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Guessing without clues. Use clues.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use picture clues. Enrichment. Predict from a title. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 2 » Reading: Foundational Skills; Grade 2 » Reading: Literature; Grade 2 » Reading: Informational Text. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core RL.2.1; IES What Works Clearinghouse Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade; Cambridge Primary English Stage 2 (reading). These sources informed the lesson.