Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is currently working on the literacy strategy, Make and adjust predictions; use text to confirm, which helps with the overall goal, Comprehension.

As adult readers we make predictions often without even realizing it. We do it when we watch movies, read a book, or hear someone tell us a story. It is a way of focusing our attention and motivating us to want to hear or read more. Children benefit from predicting in the same way. Therefore, it is important that we guide them to not only predict what will happen, but to also confirm their predictions. To predict, readers tell what they think will happen in the story. To confirm, readers find out if their predictions were true, partially true, or way off. Using this strategy gives readers the chance to make connections to the text, think ahead, and become more engaged.

How can you help your child with this strategy at home?
  1. When reading with your child, model this strategy aloud. Use your background knowledge, picture clues, and other details in the selection to make a prediction. Then, after reading, check to see if your prediction was correct. Tell your child what you are thinking so it is clear how you predict and confirm when reading.
  2. Encourage your child to use the “secret to success” they learned in class. Our “secret” is to follow these three steps:
    • Look at the details in the selection.
    • Decide what you think will happen next, based on the details and background knowledge.
    • Look back and check to make sure the prediction was correct.
  3. Use the following questions to promote this strategy. Ask your child:
    • What do you think will happen based on your information?
    • What clues are you using to make your prediction?
    • What kinds of clues did you use? (pictures, words, or background knowledge)
Thank you for your continued support at home!

—Mrs. Boushey

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