Mentor Monday Linky 3/3/14: Making Predictions

Making predictions seems so easy, yet making GOOD predictions isn't always that simple for many kids.  We want good readers to make predictions based off of what we already know and have read.  Predictions aren't quite as difficult as inferences, but we do not want kids to make very random guesses!  :)  

One of my favorite books for teaching prediction is Petite Rouge:  A Cajun Red Riding Hood.  It is Mardi Gras time, so it is a great time of year to share this version of Little Red Riding Hood anyway!  Now, I will warn you that it is NOT an easy read aloud as the whole book is written with a Bayou dialect (think "dey" for they and "dat" for that), but since it is based off of a well known story, it can lead to great predictions!  (Just read it to yourself a few times before grabbing it to read in front of the kids!).  Here is Amazon's summary:

When her grand-mère comes down wit' de flu, this Cajun Little Red knows what she has to do.  With her witty cat, TeJean, she sets off in a pirogue to bring Grand-mère some gumbo.  Who should she meet upon the way, but that big ol' swamp gator, Claude!  Mean ol' Claude may want to gobble up Petite Rouge, but she and TeJean have a better idea. Before long, they have Claude running back to the bayou where he belongs!

Not quite sure about your Cajun accent?  You could try Bullfrog Pops! instead.  In this book, each page ends in the middle of a sentence.  It lends itself perfectly to making predictions!  Although, some of the predictions aren't as simple as you might think!  For example, the first page says, "Once there was a bullfrog who hopped...."  What do you think is on the next page?  On a lily pad?  Over a friend?  Along the ground?  No, not quite!  The next page states, "....a stagecoach and rode far away."  :)  It gets kids to think of other possibilities, not just the most common ones we may think about.  As the story continues, I find kids are more and more willing to think of crazy things, but I make them tell me how it could go along with the story.  This is one of the books by Rick Walton in a series of fun word play and grammar skill series.  If you haven't seen these before, they are a 
MUST to check out!  

My friend, Mary Beth, from Run Teacher Run! has a great prediction organizer in her packet of Reading Response forms for any book.  You can find it here.  

There is a different form for fiction and nonfiction and they are perfect for guided reading or centers!  She is about ready to have a baby, so we are wishing her luck with her new little boy!  I am predicting she will have it on Thursday, my hubbies birthday!  :)  
Until next time,