Here's a breakdown of how these skills work:
1. Prior Knowledge: Readers draw upon their existing knowledge of the world, including facts, experiences, and concepts, to anticipate what might be discussed in the text. For example, if a reader sees the words "dinosaur" and "extinct", they might predict the text will discuss dinosaurs that no longer exist.
2. Context Clues: Readers use surrounding words, phrases, and sentences to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. This might involve looking for synonyms, antonyms, definitions, or examples within the text. For example, if a reader sees the sentence "The lion is a *felis*," and they don't know what "felis" means, they might predict it's a type of animal based on the context.
3. Language Patterns: Readers utilize their understanding of grammar, syntax, and common language patterns to anticipate the structure and flow of the text. For example, if a reader sees a sentence starting with "The cat..." they might predict the sentence will continue with a verb describing the cat's action.
Benefits of Predictive Reading Skills:
* Increased Reading Fluency: Predicting upcoming words helps readers read faster and more smoothly, as they are less likely to stumble over unfamiliar words.
* Improved Comprehension: Anticipating the content of a text helps readers focus on the overall meaning and make connections between ideas.
* Enhanced Engagement: When readers can actively predict what's coming next, they become more engaged with the text and are more likely to remember what they read.
* Stronger Vocabulary Development: Predictive reading encourages readers to encounter and decipher unfamiliar words, expanding their vocabulary.
Developing Predictive Reading Skills:
* Modeling: Teachers and parents can model predictive reading strategies by thinking aloud as they read, making predictions, and verifying them as they go.
* Graphic Organizers: Using graphic organizers such as anticipation guides, KWL charts, or story maps can help students organize their thoughts and make predictions before reading.
* Retelling and Summarizing: Encouraging students to retell and summarize what they read helps them to think about the key ideas and make predictions about what might come next.
* Interactive Read Alouds: During interactive read alouds, teachers can pause and ask students to predict what will happen next based on the text and their prior knowledge.
By developing predictive reading skills, readers become active participants in the reading process, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of texts.