Anticipation Guides

Type of Literacy Strategy:

Reading Comprehension (pre-reading, post-reading) & Writing (informal writing)

Reading Level:

All Secondary Reading Levels; Based on how the Anticipation Guide is used in the class, students at lower reading levels or ELs might need a differentiated sheet with vocabulary explained or less questions to guide.

Prep Time:

Depends on depth of use. 10-20 minutes for one-page guide.

Anticipation Guides in Use -

• Choose a text to use
• Create the Anticipation Guide by constructing a series of statements about specific items or concepts in the lesson.
• Either display the cover or read the opening paragraph and ask the students to answer each question with either yes, no or maybe. The emphasis is not on right answers or to make correct predictions. We want them to form a working hypothesis about the text.
• Read the text aloud. As you read, ask students to let you know when they have found the correct answer to each statement. You should read slowly and stop at places in the text that correspond to each of the statements.
• Bring closure to the reading by revisiting each of the statements.
• The students may then rewrite false statements on the back or a separate page to make them true to check for understanding.