Let’s Get Excited!

Erin McGinnis

Beginning Reading Level

 

 

Rationale: To read fluently is to read quickly and accurately. It is important for fluent readers to learn to use expression. The use of expression makes it enjoyable for the reader as well as the listener. Expression can be learned by example, so it is important for teachers to always read with lots of expression. I will model for the children using expression in this lesson.

 

Materials:

There Was An Old Woman That Lived In A Shoe

  Sentence strips- filed out before hand

  Paper

   Makers or crayons


Procedure:

  1. "Today we are going to practice reading with expression. We have mastered good reading strategies like covering up parts of words when we get stumped. For example, if I got stuck on the word "cat," I would cover up everything but the /a/, then look at the /ca/, and last put it all together to read /cat/. Now we need to master expression, which is the best part!"
  2. "When I practice reading with expression do I read like this?" (Read one of the sentence strips in a monotone voice.) "No! That is boring for the reader and the listener!"
  3. "Listen closely while I demonstrate how to read with expression. I am going to read you There Was An Old Woman That Lived In A Shoe, then we will all practice."
  4. Read the book using expression and emotion.
  5. "So it looks like we have a lot more fun reading with expression, emotion and changing our voices!"
  6. "Can you help me list some emotions or feelings?" List these words the kids come up with on the board so everyone can see.
  7. Next, hold up sentence strips, and have the kids experiment with expression by reading the same sentence using different emotions in their voices and faces. Practice this a few times, taking turns and switching strips. Example sentences: I want to go to the park.           
  1. If time allows, the children can draw pictures of faces showing different emotions. They will write the "feeling" word below the face, and the pictures can hang to remind them to read with expression.
  2. Assess the children by breaking the children into groups of two and let them read a book of their choice to each other aloud. Listen to each group and check for expression in their voices and faces.

 

Possible Review Questions:

Which is more interesting? Reading with expression and feeling or without?

 

References:

Misty Willoughby, Boom with Expression. The Reading Genie Website, www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/openings/willoughbygf.html

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