"I Will Read (Do you hear me?  I mean it!) With Expression"
Growing Independency and Fluency
Christie Shelton

 Rationale:  After children learn to read fluently, it is important for them to use expression when they read.  Children will soon discover that reading is more enjoyable if they use expression.  Children will learn this concept by watching me model as well as reading with a partner. 

Materials:  Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me?  I mean it!)  Going to Move 

(Copies for each student)

Cards with expressions on then such as happy, sad, mad, excited, and

Irritated

Excellent Expression by Alexander Evaluation Sheets (one for each student)

1 – Does my partner's voice change when he/she reads?  Yes or No

2 – Does it sound like my partner is enjoying the book?   Yes or No

3 – Is my partner reading the book so that I will enjoy it?  Yes or No

4 – When my partner was reading, did he/she have expressions on his/her

face?  Yes or No

Procedures: 

1 – TODAY WE ARE GOING TO READ WITH EXPRESSION.  THIS MEANS YOU SHOULD USE DIFFERENT TONES WHEN READING A BOOK.  IF A CHARACTER IS UPSET, READ LIKE YOU ARE UPSET USING THAT KIND OF TONE IN YOUR VOICE AND SHOW IT IN YOUR FACE.  LIKE THIS:  MY DOG RAN AWAY (Model) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE READ BECAUSE WE WANT EACH OTHER TO UNDERSTAND THE STORY BETTER AND MAKE IT MORE INTERESTING FOR THE AUDIENCE.  USE EXCELLENT EXPRESSION!

2 – I HAVE 5 CARDS WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPRESSIONS.  I AM GOING TO HOLD UP A CARD AND I WANT YOU TO RESPOND TO MY QUESTION WITH THAT TYPE OF EXPRESSION.  OKAY?  I'LL DO THE FIRST ONE FOR YOU.  (Hold up the happy card, Have a student ask "How are you?"  Answer happily "I am fine, thank you."  Do the same with rest of the cards.) 

3 – NOW I AM GOING TO READ A FEW PAGES OF THE BOOK, "Alexander Who's Not (Do you hear me?  I mean it!) Going to Move.  PLEASE WATCH HOW I READ AND NOTICE THE CHANGES OF EXPRESSION ON MY FACE.   I will read with and without expression to see which way they like better.  WHICH WAY DID YOU THINK SHOWED EXCELLENT EXPRESSION?  ME TOO.  Using excellent expression makes the story more interesting doesn't it? 

4 – i read the first few PAGES OF THE BOOK TO YOU, BUT NOW i WOULD LIKE YOU TO READ THE REST OF THE BOOK WITH A PARTNER.  Make SURE YOU TAKE TURNS READING USING EXCELLENT EXPRESSION.  wHEN YOUR PARTNER FINISHES READING, YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE Excellent Expression by Alexander Evaluation Sheet.  IT ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WAY HE/SHE READ AND HOW IT MADE YOU FEEL.  YOU SHOULD GIVE HONEST ANSWERS! 

5 – If time permits. The children can draw a picture of Alexander's face showing some type of expression. 

ASSESSMENT – Have each child do a one minute read from the story while the teacher makes notes on the child's expressions while reading.  The teacher will repeat this process 3-4 days later to make sure the child still uses expression.

References: 

Viorst, Judith.  Alexander Who's Not (Do you hear me?  I mean it!) Going to Move.  Scholastic:  New York, 1995.

Willoughby, Misti.  "Boom with Expression!"

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