Get Your Students Making Predictions in Reading

Making predictions before reading is a key strategy in developing strong comprehension skills. It helps students become more confident, critical readers and sets the stage for deeper engagement with the text. 

This resource allows your students to practice making predictions using age-appropriate sample texts. It includes five incomplete narrative passages. Students will use the worksheets provided to predict what the story will be about (before reading), test their predicts (during reading) and predict what might happen next (after reading). 

The passages featured in this resource are:

1. The Lost Backpack
2. Rocky Riding
3. Treehouse Trouble
4. Grandma’s Rules
5. The Sticky Web

This resource downloads as a black-and-white PDF or editable Google Slides file. 

How to Use Story Prediction Worksheets in Your Classroom

Incorporating story prediction worksheets like this set into your literacy lessons helps students build essential comprehension skills. Here are some ways to use the worksheets:

• Whole-Class Instruction – Begin by having students share their predictions as a group, then read the story to see how accurate their guesses were. Discuss as a class why certain predictions were successful and others were not, using the worksheet responses to guide the conversation.
• Independent or Small-Group Work – Assign individual worksheets for students to complete as pre-reading activities. Allow students to work in small groups to predict and share their reasoning before diving into the story, fostering collaborative thinking and discussion.
• After-Reading Reflection – After finishing the story, have students revisit their story prediction worksheets to reflect on the accuracy of their predictions. This practice builds metacognitive skills by prompting students to think about their thinking and adjust strategies for making predictions in future readings.

Instantly Download These Making Predictions in Reading Worksheets

Are you ready to get your hands on these making predictions reading passages? Use the Download button above to access the full set of passages and accompanying worksheets.

As this resource contains answer pages, we recommend printing one copy of the entire file, then selecting and removing the pages you wish to photocopy for the students.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Resources for Teaching the Prediction Strategy

Click below to browse and download more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when teaching your students how to make predictions before, during and after reading.

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Making Predictions PowerPoint

Use this Making Predictions PowerPoint to engage students in the learning of predicting during reading.

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Making Predictions Graphic Organizer Pack

Enhance reading comprehension by using these Making Predictions Graphic Organizer templates in your classroom.

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Making Predictions Anchor Chart Pack

Support student learning with these Making Predictions Anchor Charts explaining when and how to make predictions.