What teaching strategy encourages predictions and connections in reading?

Engaging students in group discussions is an effective teaching strategy that promotes predictions and connections in reading. This approach invites students to share their thoughts and interpretations of the text, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Through discussion, students can predict what might happen next in the story based on clues and prior knowledge, as well as connect the content to their own experiences or other reading materials.

When students engage in dialogue about texts, they are encouraged to think critically and articulate their ideas, leading to deeper comprehension and engagement with the material. Group discussions allow for diverse perspectives, as students hear different viewpoints and can build on each other’s predictions and connections, making the reading experience richer.

Other strategies, such as reading aloud without student interaction, providing summarization exercises, or independent seat work, do not typically elicit the same level of engagement and predictive thinking, as they may not offer opportunities for students to openly express their thoughts and make connections in a supportive group setting.