What role does predicting play in teaching reading comprehension?

Predicting is a vital strategy in teaching reading comprehension because it helps students engage with the text before they even begin reading. By making predictions about the content, themes, or potential developments in a text, students activate their prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading. This engagement not only piques their interest but also prepares them to connect new information with what they already know, enhancing their understanding and retention as they read.

Additionally, making predictions encourages students to think critically about the text, prompting them to consider what might happen next or how the text might be structured. This active involvement fosters a more interactive reading experience, leading to better comprehension overall. As students read and then reflect on whether their predictions were accurate, they develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, which are essential for mastering reading comprehension.