Lesson 48: Reading with expression

📖 READING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Sounds and Words

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Objective

Read short sentences with expression, using sounds, punctuation, and feelings to guide your voice.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What is reading with expression?

When you read with expression, your voice matches what is happening in the sentence.

You do not use the same voice for everything. Your voice can sound happy, sad, excited, or curious, depending on the words and the ending mark.

At the end of a sentence, you might see:

  • Period (.) — read in a calm, steady voice. It is just telling something.
  • Question mark (?) — read in a curious, asking voice. Your voice can go up a little at the end.
  • Exclamation mark (!) — read in a strong voice. It can show excitement, surprise, or a big feeling.

Feeling words can also give you clues:

  • “I am sad.” — use a softer, lower voice.
  • “I am so excited!” — use a louder, happier voice.

When you read, look at the last mark and think about the feeling. Then choose a voice that fits.

Remember: the punctuation and the feeling words help you decide how your voice should sound.

Picture strip: Punctuation and expression

Faces and punctuation marks showing expression Four small cards: a calm face with a period, a curious face with a question mark, an excited face with an exclamation mark, and a sad face with a period. How should my voice sound? . calm ? curious ! excited . sad

Guided Practice — Read the expression mini-book

How to use this mini-book:

  • On each page, look at the punctuation mark at the end.
  • Think: Should my voice be calm, curious, or strong and excited?
  • Read the sentence out loud in that voice.

After reading, choose one sentence and write it on your paper. Draw a small face next to it to show the feeling.

Expression helpers
. ? ! happy sad excited scared

Tip: Change your face and your voice to match the feeling in the sentence.

Mini-Book: My expressive day

1

I wake up. I feel calm.

These are telling sentences with periods. Read them in a calm voice.

2

What is that sound?

This is a question with a question mark. Read it in a curious voice.

3

I see my friend at the door!

This has an exclamation mark. Read it in an excited voice.

4

I drop my snack. I feel sad.

These are telling sentences. Read them in a softer, sad voice.

Reading Practice — How should it sound?

Choose how you should read each sentence. Then press “Check answers”.

1) “I put on my shoes.” How should you read this sentence?
2) “Where is my book?” How should you read this sentence?
3) “We won the game!” How should you read this sentence?
4) “I lost my toy. I feel sad.” How should you read this sentence?
5) “Can you help me?” What does the question mark tell you to do?
6) “We walk to the park.” How should you read this sentence?
7) “I am so excited!” How should your voice sound?
8) What is the best way to use expression when you read?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) What does it mean to read with expression?

2) Which punctuation mark is used for a question?

3) Which sentence should be read in a curious voice?

4) Which sentence should be read in an excited voice?

5) Which punctuation mark often shows a big feeling like excitement?

6) How should you read a sentence that says “I feel sad.”?

7) Why is punctuation important for expression?

8) Which sentence is written as a question?

9) When you read a story with expression, it…

10) To practice reading with expression, you can…

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

I will practice…

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