Making predictions about a story will engage readers. To make a prediction, students will need to consider the many elements that they have read already: setting, plot development so far, character actions, and character motivations/traits.
Before completing the story, predict how Scrooge's life will change (for the better or for worse) after his encounters with the three spirits of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. You may also make other predictions, for other characters; i.e. Will Marley’s ghost ever find peace? What will happen to Tiny Tim? Will Scrooge change his ways and find love?
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Student Instructions
Make predictions based on your understanding of A Christmas Carol by creating visualizations. How will Scrooge's life change after meeting all three spirits?
Establish a safe environment in the classroom where there is no fear of being incorrect. Reiterate that projections are only educated estimates and that there is benefit in considering alternative scenarios. Encourage all the students to participate and appreciate their responses.
Introduce the story with an intriguing situation or query. To excite their interest, use open-ended questions like "What do you think might happen next?" Teachers can hold a competition such as the student who makes the most accurate guess will get a reward.
Ask the students to brainstorm multiple ideas as to how the story can end. Students can be as creative as they want with the endings. Carrying out this activity in groups can help the students to build on each other’s ideas.
Ask the students to be as creative as they want but remind them to be on track and always provide textual evidence with their prediction. Make sure their predictions are not completely out of place as predictions are an educated guess and require prior knowledge of the context, characters, and settings.
Encourage the students to paint, sketch, or produce visual representations of their predictions to incorporate art and visualization. Expression via the arts can inspire original discoveries. At the end of the discussion, teachers can hang these paintings/ sketches in the class.
Look for indications in the text—insights from characters' deeds, remarks, and the narrative's overarching plot. Make intelligent judgments about what could happen by taking into account the setting of the tale and your own expertise.
To support your assumptions, use textual evidence such as quotations, descriptions, or character motives. Consider cause-and-effect links and potential effects on the plot that character decisions may have.
Consider a situation in which Scrooge rejects the guidance provided by the spirits. Imagine the effects this decision could have on him and others around him.
Determine how Scrooge could change his conduct in order to prevent the bleak future the ghost reveals to him. At this point Scrooge is still unaware of his future hence his conduct all depends on what the Ghost of Future will reveal to him.