How can we make thoughtful predictions?

What you'll need

• “Making thoughtful predictions” slideshow
• “Rating thoughtful predictions” worksheet
• “Assessing my ability to make thoughtful predictions” rubric
•  Digital projector and screen

1. Open up and display the “Making thoughtful predictions” slideshow. Show your students slide 2 and ask them to look at the image of the child and the birthday candles. Read the two statements and ask students to think about the difference between the two statements. Invite students to share their thinking with the class. Write their ideas on chart paper or the board. 
2. Explain to students that one statement describes what we can see happening in the image; this is an observation. The other statement describes what we think will happen, based on what we can see in the image; this is a prediction. Ask students to identify which statement is the observation and which one is the prediction.
3. Show your students slide 3 and read the three predictions. Ask them, "Which one is a better prediction?" As a class, discuss why each prediction is or is not the best one. Together with your students co-create or share the following criteria for a thoughtful prediction:

• Uses details from our observations
• Uses what we already know about the situation or subject

4. Explain to your students that they are now going to practice using the criteria to identify thoughtful predictions related to how living things react to seasonal changes. Provide each student with a copy of the “Rating thoughtful predictions” worksheet to complete as a class. This worksheet can be modified to be used by students in other contexts as well.
5. Show slide 5. As a class, discuss what they see. Students can record their observations on the worksheet or you can record the observations on chart paper or the board. Explain to students that the next slide will show three possible predictions related to their observations.
6. Show slide 6. Discuss what is shown in each prediction. Ask students to rate each prediction using the criteria. Remind students to provide their reasoning for each rating and share their thinking with the class. Finally, ask students which prediction is the most thoughtful prediction for the image on slide 5.
7. Explain to students that we must observe any dangerous situations, like fallen power lines, and remember Down. Danger. Dial and shuffle at least 10 metres away before dialling 911.
8. Conclude this activity by inviting your students to suggest other contexts where they might use criteria to make predictions at school or at home