READ THE CLUES. PLAY YOUR HAND. PROVE YOUR PREDICTION.
Welcome to Prediction Poker, a middle school ELA engagement strategy created by Amanda Zieba, The Word Nerd!
Prediction Poker turns pre-reading predictions into an interactive game that gets students curious about a text before they even begin reading. Students study visual clues, make predictions, assign Confidence Chips based on how strongly they believe each prediction, and then read carefully to hunt for evidence.
As new information appears, students decide whether to:
♠️ HOLD — Stick with the prediction
♥️ FOLD — Change their thinking based on new evidence
♦️ RAISE — Become even MORE confident in the prediction
This Prediction Poker Song is designed to reinforce the thinking skills behind the strategy—not just the steps of the game. Use it to remind students to:
🔎 Look carefully for clues
🧠 Think ahead and make logical predictions
📖 Read closely and hunt for evidence
💬 Explain WHY they think what they think
🔄 Revisit and revise their ideas as new information appears
Because great readers don't have to predict everything correctly. Great readers pay attention to evidence and are willing to change their thinking.
DID YOU FIND THIS VIDEO THROUGH THE ELA ENGAGEMENT GAMES?
I'm so glad you're here! You can learn the complete Prediction Poker strategy—and grab the accompanying classroom resources—through my session at The Middle School ELA Engagement Games.
WANT HELP CREATING YOUR OWN PREDICTION POKER GAME?
Download the FREE Word Nerd Daily app and visit RitaBot for help creating visual clues, Wild Cards, discussion questions, differentiated supports, and more!
🍎 Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/word-nerd-daily/id6760918609
🤖 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.wordnerdopolis
MORE FROM THE WORD NERD
Love finding creative ways to get middle schoolers excited about reading? You're in the right place! I'm Amanda Zieba—author, educator, and creator of First Chapter Friday with The Word Nerd and the Word Nerd Collaborative.
Explore Word Nerd Collaborative: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
Happy Teaching! ❤️
Music Credit: Amanda Zieba and Suno Pro (2026)
#PredictionPoker #MiddleSchoolELA #ReadingEngagement #ReadingStrategies #MakingPredictions #ReadingComprehension #TextEvidence #ELAActivities #MiddleSchoolTeacher #EnglishTeacher #TeachingReading #StudentEngagement #FirstChapterFriday #WordNerd #ReadingTeacher
Welcome to Prediction Poker, a middle school ELA engagement strategy created by Amanda Zieba, The Word Nerd!
Prediction Poker turns pre-reading predictions into an interactive game that gets students curious about a text before they even begin reading. Students study visual clues, make predictions, assign Confidence Chips based on how strongly they believe each prediction, and then read carefully to hunt for evidence.
As new information appears, students decide whether to:
♠️ HOLD — Stick with the prediction
♥️ FOLD — Change their thinking based on new evidence
♦️ RAISE — Become even MORE confident in the prediction
This Prediction Poker Song is designed to reinforce the thinking skills behind the strategy—not just the steps of the game. Use it to remind students to:
🔎 Look carefully for clues
🧠 Think ahead and make logical predictions
📖 Read closely and hunt for evidence
💬 Explain WHY they think what they think
🔄 Revisit and revise their ideas as new information appears
Because great readers don't have to predict everything correctly. Great readers pay attention to evidence and are willing to change their thinking.
DID YOU FIND THIS VIDEO THROUGH THE ELA ENGAGEMENT GAMES?
I'm so glad you're here! You can learn the complete Prediction Poker strategy—and grab the accompanying classroom resources—through my session at The Middle School ELA Engagement Games.
WANT HELP CREATING YOUR OWN PREDICTION POKER GAME?
Download the FREE Word Nerd Daily app and visit RitaBot for help creating visual clues, Wild Cards, discussion questions, differentiated supports, and more!
🍎 Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/word-nerd-daily/id6760918609
🤖 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.wordnerdopolis
MORE FROM THE WORD NERD
Love finding creative ways to get middle schoolers excited about reading? You're in the right place! I'm Amanda Zieba—author, educator, and creator of First Chapter Friday with The Word Nerd and the Word Nerd Collaborative.
Explore Word Nerd Collaborative: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
Happy Teaching! ❤️
Music Credit: Amanda Zieba and Suno Pro (2026)
#PredictionPoker #MiddleSchoolELA #ReadingEngagement #ReadingStrategies #MakingPredictions #ReadingComprehension #TextEvidence #ELAActivities #MiddleSchoolTeacher #EnglishTeacher #TeachingReading #StudentEngagement #FirstChapterFriday #WordNerd #ReadingTeacher