It's My Party and I'll
Cry if I Want to….
Growing Independence and Fluency Design
By: Cendy Burbic
Rationale:
Reading fluency is the ability to read faster, smoother, and with more
expression. In order for students to become fluent readers, they must
"read and reread decodable words in connected text." Reading with
expression includes changing pitch and tone of the voice to better fit
the text. Reading with expression creates more interest and wonder in
the story children are reading. As teachers, we want reading to be
enjoyable for students so they will read more, hence becoming more
fluent readers. We as teachers should model reading with expression to
students so when they read independently, they too will learn to read
with expression. This lesson focuses on students reading and rereading
decodable books so they can learn to read with expression. The students
will do this by playing different parts in the story.
Materials:
Dictionary
The Birthday Cake: a
play, Joy Cowley. Shortland Productions Limited, 1981.
Ziploc bag with animals names in it (dog, cat, pig, and cow)
Dog ears, cat ears, pig nose, and cow spots
costume pieces for the play: head bands, with poster board
cut into ears (cat and dog), crystal light powder cups painted pink
with pink ribbon to hold on head (pig), black construction paper and
tape to attach to clothing (cow spots).
Checklist for assessment with following questions on it: (one per
student)
Does the child read smoothly?
Does the child demonstrate facial expression?
Does the child's voice change (high or low pitch) as he/she reads?
Does the child appear to have an overall understanding of
expression?
Procedure:
1. Good morning students. Today we are going to work
on expression. Does anybody know what expression is? Can anyone show me
how to use expression? (Allow a few students to offer information if
they know). The dictionary tells us that an expression is "A facial
aspect or a look that conveys a special feeling." This means that when
you say something with expression, you have feelings in your face,
voice, etc. to go along with what you are saying.
2. I'm going to say two statements and I want you pay
close attention and tell me, which one makes more sense to you. Ready?
Happy Birthday (say it with a huge smile, higher pitch, bright eyes)
Happy Birthday (say it the second time with a frown, low voice, kind of
deep tone, don't even look at students). Students which "happy
birthday" would you believe that I truly meant, the first one or the
second one? Which one would you rather hear on your birthday? Very
good! The first Happy Birthday was better because I said it with more
expression and you believed me.
3. Well expression also plays a huge part in reading.
If I were to read to you this sentence with a frown on my face and kind
of quiet: "Jim came to the edge of the cliff to look off and the rocks
started to slide out from under his feet," you might not be very
interested. But if I read it to you like this "Jim came to the edge of
the cliff to look off and the rocks started to slide out from under his
feet" (show expression by opening your eyes real big like something is
about to happen, speak words slower with anticipation) then you might
get anxious to find out what happens and read the rest of the story,
right? Today we are going to work on expression as we all read.
4. Birthday Cake-Book
talk. This is a play where the dog, cat, pig, and cow help us celebrate
the Birthday. How can we celebrate a birthday? Good, balloons, sing
"Happy Birthday", eat cake, open presents. Let's find out how the dog,
cat, pig, and cow celebrate in the play. Each character has their
own part, and you will get to pretend you are one of the animals in the
play. Don't forget your costume, since actors and actresses use costume
to play a character. What do we need to use while we read the play?
Good Expression!
5. Everyone will have their own part in the story.
First of all, I want you to all read the story silently to yourself.
Then we will split up into small groups and I will assign each of you
an animal to be. In the small group, I want you to read the part of the
animal that I assigned you. (Pass out the book The Birthday Cake to each student
as you are giving instructions). Ask students what makes good actors
and actresses in a play. Be sure they understand that actors and
actresses have good expressions.
6. Give students ample time to read the story
silently. When students start to finish up waiting on others, encourage
them to reread the story and explain to them how rereading helps us to
read the story better since it is more smooth and quick.
7. Have paper with each animals name written on it,
in the bag. Go to each table and allow each student to draw the animal
out that they will be. Once they have drawn an animal, give them the
appropriate costume (dog ears, cat ears, pig nose, cow spots). Students
will then take turns in their group reading the story. Encourage
students to read with expression and to help each other with the
expressions if they get confused. Monitor and take notes to see how
quickly the students are reading the story. When students begin to get
through, have them make a list on a sheet of paper of the
characteristics that make expression important and the difference it
makes.
8. Be sure to walk from group to group monitoring
their reading and listening to each child. Create a checklist to assess
each child as you hear them read. Possible questions you might include
are:
Does the child read smoothly?
Does the child demonstrate facial expression?
Does the child's voice change (high or low pitch) as he/she reads?
Does the child appear to have an overall understanding of
expression?
