"Predictable books make use of rhyme, repetition of words, phrases, sentences and refrains, and such patterns as cumulative structure, repeated scenes, familiar cultural sequences, interlocking structure and turn-around plots. These stories invite children to make predictions or guesses about words, phrases, sentences, events and characters that could come next in the story."
-- Mary Jett Simpson, in Reading Resource Book
Predictable books and stories utilize some important text features that help children become familiar with language and how it can be used and/or played with!
Types of predictable books
- Chain or Circular Stories-Plot is interlinked so the ending comes back to the beginning such as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and others by Laura Numeroff
- Cumulative Stories-Each time a new event occurs, all previous events in the story are repeated such as Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham or The Little Red Hen told/written by various authors
- Familiar Sequence-Organized by a recognizable theme (counting, days of the week) such as Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendack
- Pattern Stories-Scenes are repeated with some variation such as the Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise
- Question and Answer-The same or similar questions are repeated throughout the text such as Whose Mouse are You by Robert Kraus
- Repetition of Phrase-Word order in a phrase or question is repeated such as Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman
- Rhyme-Rhyming words, refrains, or patterns are used throughout the story
- Songbooks-Familiar songs with predictable elements, such as repetitive phrases such as The Farmer in the Dell
Click here, here, here or here for great resources that list a number of great predictable books to use in your classroom!
These types of books are perfect for young learners and especially for students who are acquiring English as a second language. The repetition, patterns, and predictable nature offer great support for students who are still becoming familiar and comfortable with the English language. Many predictable books are those that become childhood favorites because they are fun, kid friendly, and must haves for your classroom library!
2 comments:
Thanks so much for those resources Katie! I just requested a bunch at my library for the beginning of the year :)
I remember reading in your blog about how you did running (or was it walking) with some of your coworkers after work last year? Am I remembering this correctly? I was thinking about setting this up at my school. How often did you do it?
That sounds really fun. I may try to start that at my school at least while it's still nice out. I like the idea of Friday afternoon too because no one has much motivation for getting things done anyways :)
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