Predicting Strategy Facilitation Guide
What Happens Next?
Tier 2 Small Group Facilitation Guide
2nd - 3rd Grade ESE
Objective
Students will use visual cues to predict what might happen next in a story sequence.
Duration
15 Minutes
Strategy
Visual Story Sequencing & Prediction
Why Predicting?
Predicting helps students engage with stories, activate background knowledge, and understand what they are reading. For non-verbal students, it offers a concrete way to interact with text concepts and express understanding through visual choices rather than spoken language.
Prepare Materials
- Review the Predicting Picture Activity and prepare story card sets. Laminating is recommended for durability with small groups.
- Gather additional visual aids or communication devices (PECS, AAC devices) students might use.
- Ensure a quiet, low-distraction environment suitable for 2-4 students.
Instructional Sequence
2 min Intro
Introduce the Concept
"Today we will be thinking about 'What Happens Next?' in a story."
Greet students. Use gestures (pointing forward for "next", hand to chin for "thinking"). Introduce "predicting" as making a smart guess.
4 min Model
Model the Strategy
Show a sequence of 2-3 pictures (e.g., boy with a ball). Leave out the finale.
Think Aloud: "I see a girl with a ball, then she throws it. Hmm, I predict the ball will land in the hoop!" (Point to chosen prediction choice).
Reveal the actual next card. "Was my prediction correct? Yes!"
7 min Practice
Guided Practice Activity
Distribute the Predicting Picture Activity sets to each student.
- Present initial story cards: "Look at the story so far. What happens next?"
- Offer 2-3 visual choices. Encourage students to point or use their devices.
- Observe eye gaze or pointing to determine their selection.
- Reveal the actual 'next' card and celebrate the process!
2 min Wrap-up
Review & Reinforce
"You all did a great job thinking about 'What Happens Next?' We were predicting!"
Remind students that predictions don't always have to be "right"—the goal is just to think about the clues.
Predicting Picture Activity Sheet
Name:
Date:
What Happens Next?
Predicting Picture Activity
How to Play
-
1 Look at the story pictures your teacher shows you.
-
2 Think about what is happening.
-
3 Point to the picture you think shows what happens next!
-
4 Reveal the real next picture with your teacher.
Example 1
The Story So Far...
👦🪁
Boy with Kite
🏃♂️🪁
Running to Fly
?
Choose Your Prediction
🥪
Choice A:
Eating a sandwich
☁️🪁
Choice B:
Kite flying high
😴
Choice C:
Sleeping
Example 2
The Story So Far...
👧🌱
Planting a Seed
🚿🪴
Watering the Pot
?
Choose Your Prediction
🌻
Choice A:
Flower Blooming
🏎️
Choice B:
Toy Car
⚽
Choice C:
Playing Ball
* It's okay if your prediction isn't correct! The important part is thinking about the story clues. *
What Happens Next Slides
What Happens
Next?
Let's be Story Detectives!
Tier 2 Reading Strategy
Predicting
Teacher Notes: Welcome students and introduce the concept of 'predicting'. Use gestures and a calm, clear voice. Point to the title and ask, 'What do you think this means?'
What is Predicting?
Predicting means making a smart guess!
- Look at the pictures.
- Think about what you know.
- Guess what might happen next!
Teacher Notes: Explain what 'predicting' means in simple terms. Emphasize that it's like making a smart guess. Use hand gestures for 'think' and 'next'.
Let's Practice!
LOOK
at the story
pictures.
THINK
about what
is happening.
GUESS
what will
happen next!
Teacher will show picture cards now!
Teacher Notes: Model the strategy. Show the first two cards from a story sequence. Ask, 'What's happening?' Then present visual choices for the next card. Reveal the correct card.
Your Turn!
Now it's your turn to be a story detective!
Activity Time
Teacher Notes: Introduce the activity. Explain that students will work with their own sets of picture cards. Remind them to point to their predictions.
Great Job!
You are all amazing
story detectives!
You looked at clues!
You made smart guesses!
Teacher Notes: Conclude the lesson by reviewing the main idea. Praise their effort and reiterate that making predictions helps them understand stories better. Give a positive closing.
