If you’re looking for some great ways to teach your child to read with expression, you’ve come to the right place! Read on to download a fun printable activity and then read our top five tips.
Let’s start with “Round Up the Sheep.” It’s a great way to start practicing expressive reading!
Sometimes the same words can take on a completely different meaning if you say them with a different expression. For example, if you’re afraid of cats, you would use a frightened voice to say, “Look! A cat!” But if you love cats, you would use a happy, excited voice to say, “Look, a cat!” This activity is a fun way to practice this concept.
Have your child choose a card from the pile. The word printed above the sheep indicates the expression with which your child should read the sentence on the back of the card.
Now have your child flip the card over to read the sentence using the indicated expression.
Continue until all the cards have been read.
Can you read this sentence—“I miss the smell of ham,” said Dan—like an angry emoji would? Download Fun with Emojis and have a ton of fun reading like an emoji in this somewhat “emotional” activity!
One of the very best ways to help your little robot improve his reading is to model expressive reading while reading aloud to your children. Need picture book ideas? We’ve got you covered! Download our Picture Book Library Lists.
Decodable books like the ones used in All About Reading feature stories that flow easily and naturally, allowing beginning readers to read more smoothly and comprehend text more easily.
Also called partner reading or paired reading, buddy reading is a great way to model reading for your child, allowing him to hear and imitate expressive reading. Learn more in this Buddy Reading article.
Does your child read like a robot? This post is chock full of valuable tips that will help your child read with meaningful expression. Explore topics like decoding skills, reading vocabulary, phrasing, and character dialogue.
Have you discovered a great way to encourage expressive reading? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
Valerie Armentrout
says:For my kids, their reading has gained more expression as they mature. We read at least 1 chapter from a fun, character driven book at bedtime each night. My husband and I take turns, so the kids get to hear styles from different personalities/perspectives.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGood point, Valerie. Reading expression does improve with maturity and improved reading. It’s wonderful that your children get the benefit of hearing you and husband’s reading expression too!
Kori Villegas
says:My daughter wants to get into theater so this will help her with that too!!! Thank you for this!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Kori. I think this activity will be an excellent acting warm up activity!
Meagan Marazzo
says:This was a fun exercise! The kids were asking for more words to practice on!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know that your kids liked this activity so much they asked for more, Meagan!
Phyllis
says:This is awesome. I found out about these strategies through Texas Reading Academy for teachers. I plan to use the tips presented on this blog. I would love ❤️ to learn more.
Robin
says: Customer ServicePhyllis,
We have a lot available on our blog and website. You may wish to sign up for our weekly email newsletter as well, so that you don’t miss anything.
Sam McCormick
says:So helpful!!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad this was helpful, Sam!
Lauryn
says:Fun idea!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThanks, Lauryn!
Jen
says:It will be fun to try this. I love reading with emotion and expression but my kiddo is just starting out and isn’t there yet.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you and your kiddo have a lot of fun with these activities, Jen!
Isobel Gillian Ball
says:Absolutely knockout ideas! Thank you. You are great!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re so welcome, Isobel! And thank you!
Stacey Meyer
says:I cannot wait to try this activity :-)
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you have a lot of fun with it, Stacey!
Barbara Carroll
says:I really like this!
Thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome!
Jani Hafez
says:Always need new ideas! Thanks
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jani!
Sonal
says:This is great
Marilyn Fuqua
says:Great ideas! Thanks
Jeanine
says:Great idea. Thank you!
Brooke Welch
says:Thank you ♡
Mckenzie
says:Great help with my grandaughter when she visits us. Thanks.
Minal lalwani
says:Kindly let me know how to purchase these.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceMinal,
You will find our products available in our webstore All About Learning Press.
Minal lalwani
says:Fantastic..I am impressed.Rgis really helped
Jill
says:This is a fun idea. Thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jill!
Stacy
says:We love all the activities at our house! I will definitely be printing these to use. My kiddo will love this. He already loves reading his practice sheets with emojis!
Chandra Permann
says:I’m looking forward to the round to the sheep activity and the practice and learning opportunity it will provide in a fun way!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you and your student(s) have a lot of fun with this activity, Chandra.
Esme
says:These are some fun, engaging strategies that support reading with expression. Can’t wait to play with my child.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you and your child have lots of fun with this, Esme.
Jessica H
says:You always have the BEST ideas!! Thank you for making these available!
Amanda
says:Helpful tips! My kids really enjoyed the sheep activity!
Amy
says:So helpful! Thank you!
Lindsey M
says:Cannot wait to try the sheep activity with my kiddos!
Evangeline
says:Thank you for the good ideas!
Rachel Dispennette
says:This is so helpful!
Moya Stewart
says:Great ideas that can be used for a range of age groups.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Moya!
Dorcas Ekupe
says:Wow I enjoyed every bit of information here
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Dorcas! ?