Formulate and justify predictions based on cause-and-effect relationships.

When students are reluctant to make a prediction, a teacher may mistakenly prompt them by saying, “Go ahead! Just make a guess!” Predictions should be based on prior experience/observations. A prediction has more basis underlying it than a simple guess.

The words “guess, prediction, hypothesis” are often used interchangeably, but they each have a specific meaning.

Guess – no prior experience
Prediction – based on prior experience or previous observations
Hypothesis – specific prediction indicating the variable to be tested (put into a cause-and-effect or if/then statement, based on background information or research)

Sometimes science texts ask students to make predictions when they do not have enough prior knowledge or observations to do more than guess. As a teacher in that situation, the best thing to do is ask the students if they have enough information to make a prediction or would they just be guessing. Ask the students to describe the reasons behind their prediction. If they cannot predict, ask they what else they would need to know in order to be able to make a prediction.