Before Reading
Gather Information
Preview the selection to gather information. Carefully read the Prereading page. Skim through the selection and look at the art. Does the title have any clues? What do you think this story will be about? What do you think will happen? Write down a prediction in your notebook.
During Reading
Continue Predicting
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first section of the story. Assess your first prediction. Did the events of the opening paragraphs fit your previous prediction? Did anything make you change your ideas? What do you think will happen next now that you've learned something about the main character? Write down your new predictions in your notebook.
2. Read the rest of the story on your own. Stop occasionally to make new predictions and write them in your notebook.
Fix-Up Idea: Read Short Sections
If you have trouble sticking with this long story, try reading smaller sections at a time. Every time you come to a big, fancy capital letter, stop. Write a brief summary of what you read. Also write any questions or predictions you have. Then go on and read the next section.
After Reading
Analyze and Verify Predictions
Go through your list of predictions. Put a star next to every prediction that you were right about. Put a check next to every prediction where you changed your ideas from a previous prediction. Share your predictions with a partner. Talk about what clues in the story led you to make the predictions.