Level 1 • Lesson 78 — Read a story to your class

Objective

Get ready to read a short story aloud to your class by using a clear voice, good pace, and simple eye contact with listeners.

Materials

Pencil/paper for the activity
The Sound Pad (bottom right corner) to hear letter and digraph sounds

Mini-lesson — How to read a story to your class

When you read a story to your class, you are the reader for everyone.

Your job is to help listeners understand and enjoy the story.

Good readers:

hold the book so they can see the words
use a clear, loud-enough voice
read at a steady pace (not too fast, not too slow)
change their voice a little for characters or feelings
pause at periods and stops
look up sometimes to make simple eye contact

You can think:

"I will breathe and take my time."
"I want my classmates to hear every word."
"I can smile and enjoy the story too."

Today, you will practice how to stand, hold the book, and use your voice so you are ready to read to a group.

Picture strip: From practicing to reading for the class

Guided Practice — Mini-book: Getting ready to read aloud

How to use this mini-book:

Read how one child gets ready to read a story to the class.
Notice how she stands, holds the book, and uses her voice.
Use the same steps to plan your own read-aloud.

On your paper, draw yourself reading a story to the class and write one or two sentences about how you will use your voice and eyes.

Read-aloud words

loud enough steady pause expression listeners eyes up

Frames: "I will use a clear voice." "I will look up sometimes."

Mini-Book: Getting ready to read aloud

1

Choosing the story

Aria's teacher asks, "Who would like to read a story to the class?"

Aria picks a short, funny story she knows well.

She thinks, "I can practice this at home and be ready."

2

Practicing at home

That night, Aria practices with her dad.

She tracks the words with her finger, uses a clear voice, and stops at periods.

Her dad smiles and says, "I can hear every word."

3

Reading for the class

The next day, Aria stands at the front of the room.

She holds the book, breathes, and begins to read slowly and clearly.

Sometimes she looks up and sees her classmates listening.

4

Feeling proud

When she finishes, everyone claps softly.

Aria feels proud that she read the story bravely.

Now it is your turn to get ready and read a story to your class or family.

Reading Practice — Getting ready to read to a group

Read each situation. Drag the best sentence to show how to read a story aloud to others. Chips stay in their own question. Then press "Check sentences."

You are about to read, and some classmates are sitting far away.
The best plan for your voice is:

I will use a clear voice that is loud enough for the back of the room to hear. I will whisper so no one can hear me. I will shout as loud as I can the whole time.

You start to read very quickly and your words get mixed together.
A better choice is to think:

I will read at a steady pace, not too fast and not too slow. I will read as fast as possible to finish. I will stop after every single word for a long time.

The story has many periods and question marks.
To help your listeners, you should:

I will pause a little at periods and question marks so the story makes sense. I will read all the sentences with no pauses at all. I will pause in the middle of every word, even when there is no punctuation.

In one part, a character is very surprised and happy.
A good way to read that line is:

I will change my voice a little to show when a character is excited, sad, or scared. I will use the exact same flat voice for every word. I will only whisper during the exciting parts.

You feel nervous and want to look at the book the whole time.
A helpful idea is:

I can peek up from my book sometimes and smile at my listeners. I will stare at the floor the whole time. I will turn my back so no one can see my face.

You are not sure how to hold the book while you read.
A smart plan is to think:

I will hold the book where I can see the words and still turn the pages easily. I will cover my face with the book. I will hold the book behind my back while I read.

You say a word wrong while reading to the class.
A good way to handle it is:

If I make a small mistake, I can stop, take a breath, and try the sentence again. I must run back to my seat and stop reading. I will get angry and crumple the book.

You feel shy about reading in front of others.
To feel more ready, you can:

I can practice the story once or twice with a grown-up or friend before I read to the class. I will not look at the story until the moment I read. I will say I cannot read even if I can.

After you read, other students get a turn.
A kind choice for you is:

I will listen quietly and kindly when other classmates read their stories. I will talk loudly and make jokes while they read. I will say that no one else should read.

When you "read a story to your class," the most important thing is to .

read with a clear voice, steady pace, and kind eye contact so everyone can enjoy the story mumble the words so no one understands rush so fast that the story is confusing

Quick Check — Read a story to your class

What is one job of a reader who reads to the class?

To hide the book so no one can see or hear it To help listeners understand and enjoy the story To finish as fast as possible, even if no one understands

How should your voice sound when you read to a group?

Very quiet so only you can hear it So loud that it hurts everyone's ears Clear and loud enough for everyone to hear

Why should you pause at periods and question marks?

So the sentences sound complete and make sense So you can stop in the middle of words So you can skip parts of the story

What is one way to show expression when you read?

Use the same flat voice for every word Change your voice a little when characters feel different emotions Turn your back to the class while you read

Which sentence is true about reading a story to your class?

You should never practice before reading to others. You should talk over other people when they read. You can practice, breathe, and use a clear voice so everyone can enjoy the story.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can explain how to get ready to read a story aloud Uses a clear, loud-enough voice when practicing Reads at a steady pace with simple pauses at punctuation Makes simple, kind eye contact with listeners

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I feel ready to read a story to my class 🙂 I need more practice before I read to a group 😅 Reading to my class still feels tricky

I will practice…

Using a clear, loud-enough voice Pausing at periods and question marks Looking up and smiling at my listeners

Lesson 78: Read a story to your class