This is a supplementary article from the “Art and Craft in the Young Learners Class” article depicting an example of how to make a predictor.
Predictor
(Pairs)
Focus: Any language area
Level: Pre-Intermediate/Intermediate
Time: 10′+
Materials: Paper, pencil
Procedure:
Students play in pairs.
Give students instructions on how to make a predictor from a square of paper.
Student A holds the predictor and asks student B to say a number. Student A opens and closes the predictor that many times to reveal four numbers in the centre. Student B chooses one of the four numbers and student A again opens and closes the predictor that many times.
Student B chooses one of the revealed numbers and that flap is opened to reveal a prediction.
Student A tells student B what is predicted on the inside flap and student B says whether they agree with the prediction or not and why.
EXAMPLE:
Student A: Tell me a number.
Student B: 6
Student A: (opens – closes predictor 6 times to reveal numbers in the centre) Choose a number.
Student B: 3
Student A: (opens and closes predictor 3 times) Choose another number.
Student B: 8
Student A: ( opens flap 8 ) You will live in another country.
Student B: I don’t think I agree. I would like to visit many countries but I don’t think I will live in another country.
Student B gets a point for completing the task successfully and it is now student A’s turn to play. Other language areas that can be practised by writing different prompts on the predictor:
| Prompt | Structure / Function | Language |
| Places | Present perfect/simple past | Have you been to…? When did you go? |
| Actions | Expressing preference | Would you like to fly a helicopter? Why (not)? |
| Food, activities | Likes/dislikes | Do you like…? Why (not)? |
| Situations (e.g. break a leg) | Second conditional | What would you do if you broke a leg? |
| Problems (e.g. a cough) | Giving advice (You should/ought to/If I were you/imperatives) | I’ve got a cough. If I were you, I’d take some medicine. |
| Times/dates/seasons | Simple past/Simple present | What did you do last weekend? I visited my grandparents. |
| Animals (e.g. elephant) | Qualities (is/has/do) | What do you know about elephants? An elephant is big and it has a long nose. |
| Objects (e.g. hair) | Verb+noun practice | What can you do with your hair? Yo u wash hair, cut hair, brush hair. |
Example with animals:
Each student makes a predictor and writes the names of different animals on the inside flaps.
EXAMPLE:
Student A: Tell me a number.
Student B: 4
Student A: (opens and closes predictor 4 times) Choose a number.
Student B: 5
Student A: (opens and closes predictor 5 times) Choose another number.
Student B: 3
Student A: (opens flap 3) Tell me three things about a parrot.
Student B: It is usually colourful. It can talk. It has a strong beak.
How to make a predictor
Use a square piece of paper (21cm by 21cm is a good size). Fold one corner to meet the other and make a sharp crease. Open the paper and make a crease with the other corners.
Take one corner and fold it to the centre and make a sharp crease. Do the same with the other three corners.
Keep the paper folded and turn it over. Fold one corner to the centre pressing hard to make a sharp crease. Do the same with the other three corners.
Fold the square in half so that the flaps are on the outside making sure to press hard on the crease. Open it and fold it the other way.
Put your fingers under the flaps and practise opening and closing your predictor.
Open the predictor and write numbers on the inside flaps.
Open each flap and under the flaps write a prediction or prompts for whatever language area you are practising.
The article about making a predictor was taken from the book “Game On!” page 83 & page 192.
View the “Game On!” book here!
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