Using Prior Knowledge to Make
Predictions
PLOT
Reading Skill: Making Predictions
• Predicting means making an intelligent guess
about what will happen next in a story based
on the details in the text. You can also use
prior knowledge to make predictions.
• For example: If a character in a story sees
dark clouds, you can predict that there will be
a storm because you know from prior
knowledge that dark clouds often mean
stormy weather.
Making Predictions
• Making predictions while you read involves
you in the story. As you read, use details from
the story and your prior knowledge to make
predictions about what the characters will do.
Practice Predictions
• The weather report said that there was a fifty
percent chance of rain this morning. I looked
out my window and saw the sun shining. I
remembered that yesterday the weather
report predicted the same chance of rain, but
it never did rain. So, I predict that today it will
not rain. I will check the sky again later. If it is
not raining, I can confirm my prediction. If it is
raining, then I will adjust or correct my
prediction.
• What parts were used as available
information?
• What part was used as a personal experience?
• How was the prediction going to be
confirmed?
What was the prediction based on?
Literary Analysis: Plot
• Plot is the related sequence of events in a
short story and other works of fiction. A plot
has the following elements:
– Exposition: introduction of the setting, the
characters, and the basic situation
– Rising Action: events that introduce a conflict, or
struggle, and increase the tension
– Climax: the story’s high point, at which the
eventual outcome becomes clear
– Falling Action: events that follow the climax
– Resolution: the final outcome and tying up of
loose ends
Plot Graphic Organizer
Climax
Event #4_______
________Event
Event #3________
________Event
Event #2________
Event #1________
Resolution
Exposition
The Bear Boy
By: Joseph Bruchac
In “The Bear Boy”, a man neglects his son and does
not teach him the ways of Pueblo life. One day,
the boy follows some bear tracks. He meets and
becomes friends with bear cubs and is adopted
by their mother. The bears teach the boy how to
be confident and live in a community. When the
boy’s father tries to rescue the boy, he learns
several lessons. Both learn to appreciate the
bears and the importance of caring for one’s own
family.
The Bear Boy
Vocabulary
• Timid – Showing shyness
– The timid child was afraid of me.
• Initiation – process by which one becomes a
member of a group
– Jo looked forward to her initiation into the Honor
Society
• Neglected – failed to take care of
– The cat neglected her kittens, so we raised them.
Background
Animals in Native American Folk Tales
In early times, Native Americans depended on
animals for food, clothing, and shelter. As a
result, Native Americans felt gratitude toward
animals and included them as important
characters in their oral stories. “The Bear
Boy” is a Native American story that focuses
on a mother bear and her cubs.
Reading/Writing Connection
• Usually, people think of themselves as teaching
animals rather than as learning from them.
However, many Native American groups believe
animals have a lot to teach us. List the lessons
that people might learn from animals. Use at
least three of the following words:
• Appreciate
• Instinct
• Observe
• Survive