Level 1 • Lesson 52 — What happens next?

Objective

Use pictures and story clues to predict what might happen next and explain why it makes sense.

Materials

A picture book or short story (pause before the last page)
Prediction chart (3 boxes: “What I see”, “What I know”, “My prediction”)
Pencil ✏️
Paper for writing or drawing predictions

Mini-lesson — Making smart predictions

When you read, your brain can play a fun game called “What happens next?”

A prediction is a smart guess about what might happen next in the story. It is not magic. You use clues to help you.

You can use:

What you see in the pictures
What you read in the words
What you already know about the world

Ask yourself:

“What is happening right now in the story?”
“What could happen next?”
“Why does that make sense?”

Let’s try one together.

Picture in your mind: A boy is holding an ice cream. It is very sunny. The ice cream is dripping down the cone.

You see: a hot day, melting ice cream.
You know: ice cream melts and can fall off the cone.
Prediction: “Next, some of the ice cream might fall off the cone.”

When you make a prediction, try to say:

“I think… because…”

Today, you will read little stories and choose what happens next. Use the picture clues, the word clues, and what you already know to help you.

Picture strip: Prediction clue chart

Guided Practice — Mini-book: The Birthday Surprise

How to use this mini-book:

Read each page slowly.
After each page, stop and ask: “What might happen next?”
Use the pictures and words as clues.

After reading, draw or write your own ending that still makes sense with the story.

Prediction words

I think… maybe… might could because… next

Tip: Always add a because to tell why your prediction makes sense.

Mini-Book: The Birthday Surprise

1

Maya wakes up and runs to the kitchen.

The calendar shows it is her birthday.

What do you think might happen next?

2

The kitchen is very quiet.

No balloons. No cake. No one says, “Happy birthday!”

Maya feels a little worried.

3

Maya’s mom smiles and says, “Let’s go to the park.”

They take a big bag and a blanket.

What might be in the bag? What could happen next?

4

At the park, Maya’s friends jump out and shout, “Surprise!”

There is a cake, balloons, and games just for her.

The surprise party was the plan all along.

Reading Practice — Choose what happens next

Read each tiny story. Choose the answer that makes the best prediction for what happens next. Then press “Check answers”.

1) “Tim sees dark clouds in the sky. Big drops of rain start to fall on his head.”
What is a good prediction for what happens next?

2) “Lia’s friends bring out a cake with candles at her party.”
What probably happens next?

3) “A box on the floor starts to move. It makes a little ‘meow’ sound.”
What is a smart prediction?

4) “Two children put on gloves and hats. Snow is falling in the yard.”
What might happen next?

5) “Anna gives her plant some water and puts it by a sunny window.”
What is a good prediction?

6) “Ben holds a cookie and squeezes it tightly in his hand.”
What might happen next?

7) “Sam takes out crayons. He draws a house and a tree.”
What is a sensible prediction for what he will do next?

8) What should you use to make a good prediction?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) What is a prediction?

A smart guess about what will happen next A list of every word in the story A picture on the cover

2) What helps you make a good prediction?

Guessing without looking Only the page number Clues from the words, pictures, and what you already know

3) Story: “The dog digs in the dirt and finds a small box.”
What is a good prediction?

The box will turn into a cloud The dog will open the box or sniff it The dog will suddenly fly

4) Story: “Mia puts on her swimsuit and takes a towel.”
What might happen next?

She will go swimming She will play in the snow She will go to sleep in her bed

5) Why should you explain your prediction?

To make the story longer So you can change the ending To show which clues you used and why it makes sense

6) Story: “A glass of milk is on the edge of the table. The cat jumps up.”
What is a strong prediction?

The milk will freeze into ice The milk might spill on the floor The glass will turn into a toy

7) Which sentence uses a prediction word?

“I think the boy will find his ball.” “The ball is blue.” “This page is number ten.”

8) When should you make predictions?

Only after you finish the book Only before you start reading Before and during reading as the story goes on

9) If your prediction is not correct, you should…

Stop reading make a new prediction using the new clues Tear out the page

10) To practice at home, you can…

pause while reading and say, “I think next…” only read the last page close the book when it gets exciting

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Uses pictures and text to make simple predictions Chooses predictions that make sense with the story Can say “I think… because…” using story clues Updates predictions when new information appears

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can use clues to tell what might happen next 🙂 I need more practice making predictions 😅 It still feels tricky

I will practice…

Looking at pictures for clues Saying “I think… because…” when I read Making a new prediction when the story changes

Lesson 52: What happens next?