Express What You Read!
Growing Fluency Design
Rationale:
In order to become great
readers, students must use their tone, pitch, and speed to better convey the
text’s meaning. This lesson will give students practice reading with expression.
Materials:
1.)There was an Old Lady
Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback 2.) Decodable books 3.)Short video of
expressive story teller 4.) Tape recorder
Procedure:
Introduce the lesson by asking students if they have ever listened to a
storyteller. Ask them, “What makes them a good storyteller? How do they make the
story exciting?” When you read a story, it should sound as if you are telling
the story. Good storytellers use the tone, pitch, and speed of their voice to
make the story exciting. You may whisper, yell loudly, read slowly, or very
quickly. Today we are going to learn how to be good storytellers.
Show
students short video of a good storyteller. Discuss with students what made the
storyteller a good storyteller.
Read the
book There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I will demonstrate the
difference between a good storyteller and a poor storyteller by using expression
while I am reading. (First read the book with monotone, same pitch, slowly, and
with no expression. Then read the story with expression) Which way did you enjoy
listening to? What made it more exciting?
Split
the class into partners. Give each pair a decodable book. I want each of you to
read your book to your partner with expression.
If time allows, read it again because reading a book more than once helps
with your expression.
Walk
around to each pair and listen to them read with expression for assessment.
Fluency- connected or word by word
Tone- appropriate for text?
Pitch- loud and soft, or one pitch
Next,
give each pair a tape recorder. I want one partner to record while the other
reads. I want each of you to record and read. Then listen to your tapes and see
if you can hear yourself read with expression.
Return to Caravans Index. http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/caravans.html
Resources:
Other
Expression Lesson Plans:
Use
Expression!-
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/illum/smithgf.html
Express
Yourself!-
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/illum/viruleggf.html
Using
Expression-
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/illum/popegf.html