Don't Be Grouchy!!

Growing Independency and Fluency
Ginger Outlaw
Rationale:  This lesson is designed to show students the importance of reading with fluency and expression.  When a reader reads with expression, the story seems to come to life.  This lesson will help students to notice punctuation in sentences and will help them to read smoothly and expressively.  As teachers, it is important that we try to get kids excited about reading and when they read with expression it can really get them motivated.

Materials:
1.  A copy of The Grouchy Ladybug for each pair of students.
2. An evaluation sheet for each student
3.  Ladybug stickers
4. Paper and markers

Evaluation Sheet for Partner Readings
Did my partner make me want to read the story? Yes or no
Did my partner sound like he/she really enjoyed the book? Yes/no
Did my partner's voice change while he/she was reading? Yes or no

Procedure:
1. Today students we are going to talk about expression.  Can anyone tell me what expression is?  Good suggestions.  I want to let you kids in on a little secret.  The key to making reading enjoyable for yourself and for your audience is by reading with expression.  This includes trying to match what the character in the story is feeling.  If the character is sad, then the reader should have a very sad voice and a very sad face.  But if the character is happy, then the reader should be full of energy and should read in a happy way.
2. Read the passage [monotone voice] "Good morning!"  said the friendly ladybug.  "Go away!"  shouted the grouchy ladybug.  "I want those aphids." (The Grouchy Ladybug)  Wow!  That was boring!  Then read the same passage with expression.  Let the class vote on which way they preferred to hear the story.
3. Do you know why you liked the second way better?  Can someone explain that to me?  Right.  It was more interesting!  It was kind of like I was being the characters.  Now I want you to get with your partner.  [Distribute a copy of The Grouchy Ladybug] to each pair of students.  Now you are going to practice reading to each other using expression.  While your partner reads, you should be respectful and pay close attention because you will fill out a sheet when they are finished. [Pass out evaluation sheets]   I want you to circle either yes or no to answer the questions based on how your partner read.  Any questions?  The teacher should walk around the room listening as each child reads and provide help when needed.
4. Assessment:  When the kids are finished with their reading, have the students to go back to their desks.  Tell the students that they will have the chance to share their expressive reading with the class.  I will call on a student, say an expression, and then you are to read a line from the story using that expression.  Let me show you what I mean.  I will say, "Johnny, please read line one using a mad expression."  If he does this correct, I will place a ladybug sticker on his evaluation sheet.  You should not be nervous about this, because this will be something that you will have to learn through practice.  I do not expect everyone to be perfect!  Let's get started!
~If the students have grasped the concept of reading with expression, let them draw a character from the book showing an expression.  For example, they could draw the friendly ladybug and have her smiling or they could draw the lobster with a frown on his face.

References:
Carle, Eric.  The Grouchy Ladybug.  Harper Collins Publishers:  China (1977).

Eldredge,J.Lloyd.  Teaching Decoding in Holistic Classrooms.  Brigham
Young University. Prentice Hall, New Jersey (1995). Pg.60-61.

www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/elucid/crowgf.html
"Expression Equals Enjoyment" by Meg Crow

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