Speaking Clearly and Expressively
Speaking Clearly and Expressively Objective: Students will practice speaking in complete sentences and use appropriate volume and expression when discussing familiar topics with peers and adults.
Learning Objectives
- Speak clearly in complete sentences about familiar topics.
- Use different voice volumes to be heard and understood.
- Show expression in voice to make speaking more interesting.
Materials Needed
- Picture cards with familiar scenes or objects
- Simple storybook
- Paper and crayons
Key Vocabulary
- Expressive
- Showing feelings or ideas clearly through voice or body language.
- Volume
- How loud or soft your voice is when you speak.
- Complete Sentence
- A group of words that tells a full thought with a subject and a verb.
Detailed Activities
Picture Description Practice
- Show the student a picture card and ask them to describe what they see using a complete sentence.
- Encourage the student to speak loudly enough to be heard clearly.
- Prompt the student to add expression to their voice by showing excitement, surprise, or curiosity about the picture.
Read Aloud and Retell
- Read a short storybook aloud to the student with clear expression.
- Ask the student to retell the story in their own words using complete sentences.
- Encourage the student to use different voice volumes and expressions while retelling.
Create and Share Drawing
- Have the student draw a picture about their favorite activity or place.
- Ask the student to describe their drawing using complete sentences, speaking clearly and expressively.
- Praise the student’s efforts and gently guide improvements in volume and expression as needed.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to speak in full sentences during daily conversations to build confidence.
- Model expressive speaking by varying your tone and volume when reading stories or talking.
- Be patient and provide positive feedback to help your child improve their speaking skills.
Assessment Questions
- Can your child speak about a picture using a complete sentence?
- Does your child use an appropriate volume so others can hear them clearly?
- Can your child add expression to their voice when speaking about a topic?
Extension Ideas
- Practice speaking in front of family members or friends to build confidence.
- Record your child speaking and listen together to notice volume and expression.
- Play games like ‘Simon Says’ where your child must follow instructions using clear sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with very familiar and comfortable topics, and praise any attempt to speak. Gradually encourage speaking in front of small groups, like family, to build confidence.
Model expressive speaking yourself by changing your tone and facial expressions. Use stories, songs, and playful activities to make speaking fun.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may speak too softly or too quickly, making it hard to understand them.
- Students might use incomplete sentences when describing or retelling.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Provide sentence starters to help complete their thoughts.
- Use visual aids and repeated practice to build confidence in speaking.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage adding more detailed descriptions and emotions in their speaking.
- Have them practice speaking about less familiar or more complex topics.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes on picture description to build confidence in speaking.
- Use 15 minutes for read aloud and retelling to practice narrative skills.
- Use the last 15 minutes for drawing and sharing to encourage creativity and expressive speaking.
Standards
- 3.SL.4 — Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply