Express
Yourself!
Growing
Independency
and Fluency Lesson Design
Julie
Mason
Rationale:
Reading with expression promotes fluency
and reading
comprehension. Reader's Theater is a fun and engaging way to get
students to
read fluently with expression as they are playing a character. By
practicing a
script, students are reading the text repeatedly for a purpose and they
will
gain fluency. This lesson uses reader's theater to lead children into
reading
with expression. Read and reread decodable words in a connected text.
Materials:
Dry Erase board and
marker
Copy of script for
each student
The Foolish Little
Hare: A Fable
Assessment: Rubric
for each
student with
questions:
Did the student use
expression in
their voice when reading?
Did they accurately
portray the
emotions and character?
Were the facial
expressions
appropriate for the character and story?
Overall, did the
student use
expression?
Procedures:
- When we read out loud it is important
that we sound like we do when we are talking with out friends. When you
talk to your friends do you say (in monotone voice): "I am going to the
store, do you want to come with me?" No, I hope not. You sound like
(with expression) "I am going to the store, do you want to go with me?"
You also want to use facial expressions when you are reading and let
your voice show the mood of what you are reading. Would you say
(excitedly with a smile) "I am not feeling well." No, you would say
(sad face, sounding sick) "I am not feeling well." We have to remember
this when we are reading out loud.
- Write on board: "I can't wait to go to
the beach today!" Okay I'm going to show you how I would read this
sentence if I came across it while I was reading. I can't wait to go to
the b… hmm I'm not sure about this word let me get my cover-up critter.
First, let's find the vowel. Okay, ea
says /E/ then I have the b so
/b/ /E/ bea… then ch says
/ch/ bea… ch… beach. Oh yeah like by the
ocean! Okay so I can't wait to go to the beach today. But oops! There's
an exclamation point I know that means I am excited so (excitedly) I
can't wait to go to the beach today!
- Okay now let's try some together.
(Write on board: It is raining
outside again.) Let's read it together.
(Read sentence as a class.) Okay now, let's read it like we are really
excited because we love to dance in the rain and splash in the mud
puddles. Ready? (Read again, excitedly.) Great! I saw your smiling
faces and you all sounded so happy and excited. Okay, now let's read it
like we're sad because we were going to play outside today and now we
can't. (Read again, sadly.) Great job, you all sounded so sad.
- When people are making a movie or play
they read from a script. To make it sound interesting they have to read
with expression. Today we are going to read a script using all that
expression. We are going to be characters in a play called "The Foolish
Little Hare." Everyone knows what a hare is right? Yes, its like a
rabbit. In this play there is a little hare who thinks the earth is
cracking open! He runs and tells all his friends about it. They all get
so worried about the earth about to crack open. What are they going to
do? Let's read the script and find out.
- Okay everyone look at your script at
Foolish Little Hare's first line. I am going to read it and you tell me
if I do a good job. (Read line, monotonously.) What do you guys think?
No? It was boring? Well how should I sound? That's right, I should
sound like I'm asking questions and I'm worried. Let me try again.
(Read line again, with expression: "What will I do? What will I do?
What
if the clouds fall and crush me? What if the earth cracks open and
swallows me up? What will I do? What will I do?") Who else thinks they
can read that line? (Allow for volunteers to read.) Great job guys!
- Okay now everyone will have a chance
to practice their parts. The highlighted part is who you will be. Take
a few minutes to whisper read all of your lines. Then find a partner
and partner read. I will be walking around and looking at your faces
and listening to your expressive voices. Make sure you figure out all
of the new words and practice your lines!
- Now we are going to perform our play!
Make sure you use expression and facial expressions so I know the mood
and how your character feels. (Have students perform play.)
- Assessment: As students perform,
listen and watch for expression. Complete rubric for each student as
they read their lines. Answer questions:
Did the student use
expression in
their voice when reading?
Did they accurately
portray the
emotions and character?
Were the facial
expressions
appropriate for the character and story?
Overall, did the
student use
expression?
References:
Katy Bugg. Growing Independency and Fluency Lesson
Design:
Express Your Character.
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/sightings/bugggf.html
Readers' Theater Script:
Hall, Ginny. Readers' Theater Grade 2.
Evan-Moor
Corp. Monterey, CA. 2003. p 55-59.
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