Lessons & Units :: Predicting 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Reasonable Predictions

Lesson Plan

Wemberly Worried | 170L

Wemberly Worried
Learning Goal
Make reasonable predictions for the outcome of a story.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Example Chart, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, chart paper, markers

  • Activation & Motivation

    Activate prior knowledge by modeling real-life realistic and unrealistic predictions. For example, if I ask Robert to turn on the lights, I think that he will cry. Is this realistic?

  • Teacher Modeling

    will explain that when good readers read or listen to a story, they make predictions (or guesses) about what will happen next in the story. It is helpful for predictions to be reasonable, or make sense. I will explain the meaning of reasonable predictions (guessing what will probably happen next). I will model making a reasonable prediction about what will happen in Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, based on the cover of the book. By reading the title and looking at the pictures on the cover, I can predict that the book will probably be about a little mouse that worries. I would not predict that it would be about a pig or other animal because there isn’t anything on the cover to tell me that. I am using the pictures and text to make a reasonable prediction. I will begin reading Wemberly Worried, stopping after the author says that Wemberly worried about “big things, small things, and everything in between”. I will predict what Wemberly will worry about in the story and how these worries may affect her. For example, I may predict that Wemberly will worry about monsters in her closet. Maybe Wemberly won’t be able to sleep alone at night.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "What is the best way to make predictions?" Students should respond that they should read the text, stop and make a guess about what may happen next based on what would make sense.

  • Guided Practice

    will continue to read Wemberly Worried up to the page where Wemberly worries about rubbing Petal’s ears off. I will explain that the next page is about Wemberly’s birthday. We will make predictions about what will happen next at Wemberly’s birthday. We will discuss whether or not the predictions are reasonable. We will continue reading up to the page about the start of school. We will identify reasonable predictions and unreasonable predictions on a chart. (Example is provided.)

    TIP: When students make unreasonable predictions, explain why the prediction is unreasonable. It’s not essential that students’ predictions are correct, but they should be possible for the story.

  • Independent Practice

    will continue to listen to Wemberly Worried up to the page where Wemberly and Jewel meet. You will draw a picture and write a reasonable prediction of what will happen after Wemberly and Jewel meet. (Independent Practice Worksheet is provided.) Note: After students complete the Independent Practice Worksheet, have the class come back together and read the end of the book aloud.

    TIP: Differentiate the Independent Practice by providing students with possible picture predictions from which to choose.

Build Student Vocabulary neighborhood

Tier 2 Word: neighborhood
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story On Halloween, Wemberly dressed up as a butterfly and “worried that there would be too many butterflies in the neighborhood parade.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) A neighborhood is an area with people who live near each other. When Wemberly was talking about her neighborhood parade, she was talking about a parade for the people who live in her area.
Students repeat the word Say the word neighborhood with me: neighborhood.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts I grew up in a small neighborhood in the city. My neighborhood was filled with tall buildings and parks.
Students provide examples Tell me your neighborhood. Start by saying, “In my neighborhood I see _____________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? neighborhood
Additional Vocabulary Words worry, shrink

Build Student Background Knowledge

Pause before reading page 7. Explain that a radiator is a machine that heats buildings. Water is boiled in a big tank creating steam. Steam is that white mist that floats up after a hot shower, or comes out of a tea kettle when you boil water. The steam comes through the radiator making the hissing sound that Wemberly is worried about.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

Thanks for this resource. My new pupils will enjoy this activity.

Submitted by ifeoma.nwaicha_2102664 on 8/31/16

I like the lesson. I plan on using it as a review lesson for my new second graders. It will also serve as an assessment on can they make reasonable predictions before I move deeper into predicting, confirming and modifying predictions.

Submitted by lhemingway on 8/18/16

Very thorough. Great way to look at prediction for reading.

Submitted by baylorbrwn_2114388 on 5/14/16

I really liked this lesson

Submitted by dhuntress_1029759 on 9/17/15