During shared reading, stop and invite students to make a "smart guess" about the word or event that should come next. This engages the readers and encourages them to make sense from print.
Tips for Predictable Books
- Choose books that offer familiar concepts, supportive illustrations, and natural language patterns.
- Look for predictable books where the story events and language are cumulative or where a familiar sequence such as numbers or days of the week are included.
- Create Big Book versions of predictable books and have the students write the refrain during shared writing.
Becker, John. 1991. Seven Little Rabbits. New York: Scholastic.
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin. 1995. Inside a Barn in the Country. New York: Scholastic.
MacDonald, Margaret Read. 1995. The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle. Little Rock, AK: August House Little Folk.
Ward, Cindy. 1988. Cookie's Week. New York: Scholastic.
Williams, Sue. 1990. I Went Walking. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.