Level 1 • Lesson 52 — What happens next?

Objective

Use pictures and story clues to predict what might happen next and explain predictions using the words “I think… because…”.

Materials

Pencil/Paper for writing or drawing predictions
The Sound Pad (bottom right corner) to hear letter and digraph sounds

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?”

Try this tiny story:

“A boy is holding an ice cream. It is very sunny, and the ice cream is dripping down the cone.”

You see: hot day, melting ice cream.
You know: ice cream melts and can fall.
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 — What happens next?

Read each tiny story. Drag the best prediction into the box to show what might happen next. Chips stay in their own question. When you are done, press “Check sentences.”

Tim sees dark clouds in the sky. Big drops of rain start to fall on his head.
A good prediction is:

He will need an umbrella. It will suddenly be very sunny. He will eat ice cream.

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

She might blow out the candles. She will go to sleep. She will start her homework.

A box on the floor starts to move. It makes a little ‘meow’ sound.
A smart prediction is:

The cat might jump out. The box will fly away. It will turn into a robot.

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

They will build a snowman. They will swim in a pool. They will pick apples from trees.

Anna gives her plant some water and puts it by a sunny window.
A good prediction is:

The plant will grow bigger. The plant will turn into a cat. The plant will become a toy car.

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

The cookie might break. The cookie will sing a song. The cookie will grow legs and run.

Sam takes out crayons. He draws a house and a tree.
A sensible prediction is:

He will finish the picture. He will throw the crayons in the bin. He will go on a rocket to the moon.

Dad clips the leash onto the dog’s collar and opens the front door.
What will most likely happen next?

They will go for a walk. The dog will bake a cake. The leash will turn into a snake.

Mira stands at the bus stop. The bus pulls up in front of her.
A good prediction is:

She will get on the bus. She will jump into a river. She will start flying in the sky.

A family puts food in a basket for a picnic. Dark clouds start to cover the sky and thunder rumbles.
What might they do next?

They will move the picnic inside. They will sleep outside in the storm. They will throw all the food away for no reason.

Quick Check (5 questions)

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

What helps you make a good prediction?

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

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

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

Why should you explain your prediction with “because”?

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

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Uses pictures and text to make simple predictions Chooses predictions that make sense with the story clues 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?