What important step should a teacher take when having students predict a story based on its title and illustrations?

Modeling for the class how to make predictions based on a story's title and illustrations is crucial because it provides students with a structured approach to engage with the text. When teachers demonstrate this process, they set clear expectations and showcase strategies that students can utilize independently. This modeling helps students understand the connection between visual and textual cues, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills.

By articulating their thought processes while making predictions, teachers provide a framework that encourages students to explore their ideas creatively and thoughtfully. This skill is essential not just for predictions but also for developing overall comprehension as students learn to pick out key details and infer meaning from various components of a text.