Read It Again and Again!
Poetry is a perfect vehicle for enhancing fluency, expression, and comprehension. Research suggests that children should reread a text three or four times for best results, and your students won't be bored rereading if you add a little "spice" with these techniques:Shadow - The teacher reads a line and then children echo it.
Say What? Read the text the wrong way. When children hear you make a mistake they shout, "Say what?" and then repeat it correctly.
Popcorn - The teacher begins reading. When the teacher says, "Popcorn!" the children must take over.
Opera - Stretch out words as you sing them.
Hint! Have children sing poems, and then have them "read" the words to songs.
Rap - Clap, snap, or get a beat as you read.
Three Bears - Read it like papa bear with a deep voice, then like mama bear with a prissy voice, and finally baby bear with a squeaky voice.
Mouse - Use a whisper voice.
Underwater - Vibrate index finger in between your lips.
With a Cold - Hold your nose.
Emotions - Read the poem with a "happy" voice, "sad" voice, "scared" voice, "angry" voice, or with other emotions.
Tone - Have children select the "voice" that fits a poem best.
Like a Boss - Children push back their chair, put their feet on their desk, fold their arms, and "sit like a boss" as they read.
Cowboy - Turn chair around and straddle it like a horse.
Backwards - Post poems on the back wall of the classroom. Children turn "backwards" and read.